Serena Williams has responded to the suggestion that she could not defeat the world’s top male tennis players by saying: “Respect me”.

The controversial remark was made by retired tennis player and commentator John McEnroe. McEnroe had said that Williams – who, let’s remind ourselves, is widely regarded as the greatest female tennis player in history – would be “like, 700 in the world” if she competed on the men’s tennis circuit.

“That doesn’t mean I don’t think Serena is an incredible player, and I suppose anything’s possible,” said McEnroe, 58, in an interview with NPR. “Maybe at some point a woman’s tennis player can be better than anybody.

“I just haven’t seen that in any other sport, and I haven’t seen it in tennis. If she had to just play the men’s circuit, it would be an entirely different story.”

“Respect me”: Serena Williams hits back at John McEnroe’s claim she couldn’t defeat top male players