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Kyrgios fires up over Serena Williams sledge

Nick Kyrgios has been dragged into the John McEnroe-Serena Williams saga, and the young Aussie isn't happy about it.

American tennis great McEnroe on Monday made some controversial comments when asked whether Serena was the greatest player of all time, male or female.

Although McEnroe has no doubt Williams is the best female player, he doesn't think she would fare well competing against men.

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"Best female player ever, no question," McEnroe said.

"But if she played the men's circuit she'd be like 700 in the world.

"On a given day, Serena could beat some players. I believe because she's so incredibly strong mentally that she could overcome some situations where players would choke because she's been in it so many times, so many situations at Wimbledon, the US Open, etc.

"But if she had to just play the circuit - the men's circuit - that would be an entirely different story."

Serena responded on Twitter, and she wasn't particularly impressed:

McEnroe's comments led journalist Tony Jones to suggest Serena could beat a number of the top male players in the world, including our very own Kyrgios.

"I agree with him on one point. I think she would beat Nick Kyrgios," Jones told 3AW.

"I say that because she has a power game, there's no doubt about that.

"But he touched on something that is more important, especially when you're playing someone like Nick Kyrgios who's brittle above the shoulders, it's a mind game as well.

"Her mental strength alone would see her get the better of someone like Nick Kyrgios. I'd back her in."

Kyrgios and Serena. Image: Getty
Kyrgios and Serena. Image: Getty

Kyrgios quickly took to Twitter with his take:

Kyrgios's response was applauded by majority of fans, as well as fellow players Thanasi Kokkinakis and Rennae Stubbs:

Lleyton Hewitt even chimed in:

with Sporting News