Anna, Ava and Emily McEnroe were not pleased with their father’s comments regarding Serena Williams this week.

In an appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on Tuesday night, McEnroe revealed his daughters have given him some grief over saying the 23-time Grand Slam winner would be ranked "like No. 700" if she played on the men's circuit during an NPR interview.

"My girls don't think I can beat her now,” McEnroe said to Colbert. “I thought I could beat her. She's pregnant so maybe I should play her now. Might have a better chance. But either way I wish her the absolute best. She's the best thing that's happened to American tennis in the past 10, 15 years."

Williams fired back on Twitter on Monday writing in part, "Dear John, I adore and respect you but please please keep me out of your statements that are not factually based."

In an appearance on CBS This Morning earlier on Tuesday, McEnroe refused to apologize for his comments.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Atlanta Dream's Jordin Canada (3) goes to the basket against Indiana Fever's Aari McDonald (2) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Friday, July 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Credit: AP

Featured

Rebecca Ramage-Tuttle, assistant director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, says the the DOE rule change is “a slippery slope” for civil rights. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC