John McEnroe’s controversial verdict on Serena Williams’ fictional ranking in the male game has served up a volley of abuse for the retired tennis star.
But the three-time Wimbledon champion has received some unlikely support – from Paddy Power and we’ve made him the slight-favourite to defeat Williams if the two settled their row on court.
The 58-year-old is priced at 4/6 should the two meet, with Williams not far behind at 11/10 – which equates to a 47.6% chance of victory.
It wouldn’t be the first time a Battle of the Sexes has came up in tennis after Bobby Riggs netted a victory over Margret Court in May 1973, but he was smashed in straight sets by Billie Jean King later in the year in front of over 30,000 people at the Houston Astrodome.
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
Spokesman Paddy Power said: “Serena would only be 700th on the men’s tour? You cannot be serious.
“However, if she is, we don’t think McEnroe would be far ahead of her – you’d probably need Hawk-Eye to spot the gap.”
Williams v McEnroe matchJohn McEnroe 4/6
Serena Williams 11/10