Serena Williams fires back at John McEnroe: 'Please keep me out of your statements that are not factually based'

Kin Cheung/AP

Serena Williams did not appreciate John McEnroe's comments about where she'd rank among men's tennis players.

On Sunday, during an interview on NPR, McEnroe said Williams would rank "like 700" in the world if she played on the men's circuit.

While McEnroe called Williams the greatest women's player ever, he said she couldn't match up physically with men.

On Monday, Williams issued a calm but forceful response.

Tweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/879466071404810241
Dear John, I adore and respect you but please please keep me out of your statements that are not factually based. Tweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/879466221112094720
I've never played anyone ranked "there" nor do I have time. Respect me and my privacy as I'm trying to have a baby. Good day sir

McEnroe has not apologized for the comment.

On Tuesday, he appeared on "CBS This Morning" and said he didn't intend to cause a controversy with his remarks, then he retroactively ranked Williams the fifth-greatest player of all time.

McEnroe, 58, also estimated that he would be ranked 1,200th in the world if he were playing today.

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• John McEnroe says Serena Williams would be 'like 700 in the world' if she played on the men's circuit

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