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Loading...John McEnroe Says Women Can’t Handle Tennis
I would never describe John McEnroe, the famed tennis player, as charming. In fact, his tendency to argue with umpires and general bad attitude on the court led British and American media alike to describe him as “bratty” and “spoiled.” But McEnroe’s latest remarks, said on a conference call in advance of the U.S. Open, which begins on Monday, go beyond simply putting his foot in his mouth – not only are they sexist, they’re totally absurd.
“I think that it’s asking too much of the women,” McEnroe said. “They shouldn’t be playing as many events as the men. … The women have it better in tennis than in any other sport, thanks to Billie Jean King. But you shouldn’t push them to play more than they’re capable of.
“They should be required to be in less events. There should be less events for the women. It seems it takes an actual meltdown on the court or women quitting the game altogether before they realize there’s a need to change the schedule.”
Tennis officials and commentators were quick to tear apart McEnroe’s remarks, saying that although several female players have sustained injuries recently (Justine Henin, a former number one player, is sitting out the U.S. Open because of an elbow injury at Wimbledon), male players are having the same problems. Juan Martin del Potro, the reigning champion of the men’s U.S. Open, is sitting out the Open this year because of a wrist injury. Rafael Nadal has also had injury issues.
The “meltdown” to which McEnroe was referring may have been Vera Zvonareva’s. After losing in the finals during last year’s Open, she pulled a “Richie Tenenbaum” – sobbing, smashing her racquet against a post, ripping the medical tape off her legs and screaming at the umpire. But anyone who watches tennis knows that dramatic on-court meltdowns are common among male and female players – McEnroe has even been known to have a few.
“The system we have now is a lot more player friendly,” said Kim Clijsters, a former number one ranked player who retired from tennis, had a child, and made a famous comeback last year. “It is easier compared to a few years ago. We choose our own schedule. It’s up to a player’s discipline and professionalism to schedule tournaments. Women’s tennis has become so much more competitive. We work so much more in the gym. We have become fitter, faster, stronger.”
Others have tried to be diplomatic; Stacey Allaster, commissioner of the WTA Tour, said, “He’s an analyst and gives his opinion.” But she continued, saying, “I hope when someone makes comments he’s also looking at the data. Venus [Williams] is 30 and she is very careful with her body because she wants to continue to play.”
Johnette Howard, a writer for ESPN, pointed out that McEnroe has just opened a tennis academy, an institution that he is eager to tout as the place where a great new generation of tennis players will be trained. And yes, it is hard to imagine why, after these comments, any parents would want to send their girls to study with McEnroe.
Despite all of the talk of McEnroe’s expertise, I think these remarks prove that his biases disqualify him from providing worthwhile commentary. After all, as Billie Jean King pointed out, what he said is really just “rubbish.”
Read more: billie jean king, john mcenroe, kim clijsters, mens tennis, misogyny, sexism, tennis, us open, venus williams, wimbledon, womens rights, womens tennis
Photo from Wikimedia Commons.
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130 comments
+ add your ownMcEnroe needs to get his butt whooped by woman on the courts, and then throw one his little trademark hissy fits.
A dim bulb indeed...
This is rich coming from the drama queen of the courts!
This is not fair play Mr MacEnroe!!
John just hasn' t learned when to keep his mouth shut.
He's getting old and needs some attention.
Let the poor man live in his fantasy world.
HE HAS A BIG MOUTH.
I want to see him keep up with Venus or Serena Williams, anyday, anytime. I think he is afraid a woman might just kick his a*!. That is usually the reason any man don'r want a woman to do the same as them, because they feel less masculine if the woman wins. What a crock! Really though, I want to see them set a game up for John McEnroe VS Serena or Venus Williams.........Then he can choke on those words
Too ridiculous to comment
pat
"Meltdowns"? Puh-lease. If there ever was the pot calling the kettle black! John McEnroe was, is, and ever will be, the king of meltdowns. I'm sure there's probably a montage of his regular meltdowns on youtube. I was only around 7 years old when I first saw one of his meltdowns on TV, and will always remember it. It's amazing how he says these things without a hint of irony that they apply also to himself. It's also amazing how he thinks women need to be patronized in this way, as if they can't decide when they've had too much for themselves. I would tell McEnroe to bite me, but I'm sure he wouldn't be able to handle it because he's a man and will of course, have one of his well documented meltdowns.
There are plenty of excellent female tennis players out there. And if they lose a game, almost all of them handle it with grace and poise,which is more then we can say for John. He always has been an ass and always will be. Just go on you tube and watch some of McEnroe`s "crowning performances".
This so-called athlete has always had a mean-spirited mouth, apparently attended by fluff and fire in the brain cavity. Who would ever CARE what this fool says?
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