John McEnroe hits back at King Richard portrayal of his first meeting with the Williams sisters

John McEnroe has hit back at the portrayal of his first meeting with the Williams sisters in hit Hollywood movie King Richard, and insists he didn’t refuse to meet the now-legendary pair. 

In the Williams’ executive-produced movie, King Richard, which follows their upbringing and rise to stardom, McEnroe is shown to be dismissive of the sisters during their younger years. 

He says that is a gross misrepresentation. 

‘When she was brought to the court I was practicing on, I was being told by my then-coach Paul Cohen and Richard Williams that her and Venus were going to be the two best players in the world,’ McEnroe said, as reported by the New York Post.

‘It was like, “Call me in 10 years, we’ll see what’s happening.”

Serena Williams has one last chance to equal Margaret Court’s all-time Grand Slam record

‘I didn’t walk away in disgust, refuse to see Serena,’ McEnroe said. ‘I was there. Saw them. 

‘Why would I walk away after being told that I’m going to see two kids, 8 and 9, that are going to be future No. 1s? 

‘I refuse to see these kids for what? Because I’m a hothead? Not correct.’

Barring a miracle Grand Slam win in New York, Williams will finish a Slam short of Australian Margaret Court’s all-time women’s singles record. 

The Williams sisters (middle left and right) were executive producers on the acclaimed film

Regardless, McEnroe sees her as a sporting deity, stretching beyond the world of a ball and racket. 

‘All you need to say about Serena is that she’s put herself in that pantheon of GOATs,’ McEnroe said in a conference call leading up to the US Open,’ he said.

‘She’s up there with Billie Jean King. You mentioned Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Tom Brady. That’s where Serena is.’ 

Richard Williams was integral in his daughters’ incredible success on and off the tennis court

If unsuccessful in her quest for a seventh US open title, Williams will finish with a tally of 39 grand slams overall, 23 in women’s singles.

‘She’s been very inspirational off the court.’ Chrissie Evert said. ‘On the court, it’s obvious. Her record, her power, her mental toughness. 

‘But the intangibles — the fearlessness in her has really impressed me. The fact that she’s never set any limits in tennis or life. 

As for her chances in the final slam of her career, McEnroe believes anything is possible.  

Will Smith won the Academy Award and Golden Globe for his performance in King Richard

‘Could be first round, or she could actually make a run,’ he said. ‘Depends on the crowd. 

‘Sometimes when you’re not playing well you sort of feel like the crowd doesn’t get you’re struggling. It depends on how she reacts to that if things aren’t going well or the way she anticipates.

‘At the moment, obviously we know she can hit shots but it’s going to be how well can she play some defense, recover and move. That’s the part that gets tougher as you get older.’ 

Williams’ first round opponent is Montenegrin Danka Kovinic, who she will face on the Open’s first day, August 29.