John McEnroe is one of the biggest names in tennis and the former World No. 1 continues to remain active in the sport. The 7-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1 recently talked about to GQ on tennis scenes in various movies and the 2017 biopic ‘Battle of Sexes‘ also came under the American’s review.
The ‘Battle of Sexes’ was a series of matches first played between Margaret Court and Bobby Riggs and later between Riggs and Billie Jean King. While Court lost to the 55-year-old Riggs, 29-year-old King won in 3-sets and it was a historic moment for women’s tennis at that point. McEnroe however dragged Serena Williams during the conversation.
“I became a father later, obviously, but I had four girls. So, and two boys. And so from that aspect alone, and I really sort of empathize and related and was happy that as it turned out Billie Jean ended up winning this match for what it represents. Although I’ve had to hear it for the last 25 years that Serena [Williams] would have beaten me, so [I] don’t like that part,” said McEnroe.
“Bobby Riggs was a big gambler,”: John McEnroe
McEnroe never actually played against Serena Williams or any female player. He however expressed his frustration on constant comparisons over Williams defeating him if indeed they had scheduled a match when Williams was still active as she retired at the end of the 2022 US Open.
McEnroe, unabashed in his words, also took a dig at Riggs whose misogynistic statements led to the formation of the ‘Battle of Sexes‘ which saw the third instalment as well when a 40-year-old Jimmy Connors took on 35-year-old Martina Navratilova and went on to defeat her as well.
“By the way, that Bobby Riggs, who was a big gambler, we knew of his gambling exploits that he we released. We were hoping he threw the match on purpose because really, oh my god, You know, Billie Jean girl, beat Bobby Riggs.
“People forget that Bobby rings had beaten Margaret Court, a few months early, like, six months early in a match. So, this was her way to prove, like, I got to do it for all the female tennis players out there. But besides that pretty darn good movie,” added McEnroe further.
To counter McEnroe’s point, Court had just returned to action after the birth of her first child at the age of 30. While Riggs managed to beat her in straight-sets, King ensured that she won the match eventually in 3 straight sets. With the winner-take-all prize of $100,000 for the match, women’s tennis and King had a lot to celebrate.
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