Serena Williams fires back over claims she can’t handle men

Serena Williams has launched a broadside at John McEnroe, after the controversial former player suggested she’d be ranked “like 700” if she played against the men.

McEnroe made the comments during a radio interview, saying although Williams was the best female player ever, “no question”, she’d be nowhere if she had to play on the men’s tour.

“If she played the men’s circuit she’d be like 700 in the world,”

But Williams, who is taking a break from the circuit while pregnant with her first child, has used her Twitter account to fire back at McEnroe.

“Dear John, I adore and respect you but please keep me out of your statements that are not factually based,” Williams wrote.

“I’ve never played anyone ranked ‘there’ nor do I have time. Respect me and my privacy as I’m trying to have a baby. Good day sir.”

Williams won her seventh Australian Open title in January while in the early stages of pregnancy, and has targeted the Melbourne event in 2018 for her comeback.

Dear John, I adore and respect you but please please keep me out of your statements that are not factually based.

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) June 26, 2017

I've never played anyone ranked "there" nor do I have time. Respect me and my privacy as I'm trying to have a baby. Good day sir

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) June 26, 2017

It’s not the first time Williams has taken to social media to defend herself, after earlier this year accusing Romanian Fed Cup captain Ilie Nastase of racially abusing her and her unborn child.

“Let’s see what colour it is. Chocolate with milk?” Nastase was overheard to say.

Williams is pregnant with her first child to fiancé Alexis Ohanian, who is white.

Williams took to Instagram to return serve.

“It disappoints me to know we live in a society in which people like Ilie Nastase can make such racist comments towards myself and unborn child, and sexist comments against my peers.

“I have said it once and I’ll say it again, this world has come so far but yet we have so much further to go. Yes, we have broken down so many barriers – however there are a plethora more to go.

“This or anything else will not stop me from pouring love, light and positivity into everything that I do. I will continue to take a lead and stand up for what’s right.”

9News Australia