The concept of equal pay has long been in question in tennis. With some of the prominent players’ backing, many tournaments have adapted to the system as they believe that equal prize money should be given to both ATP and WTA stars. However, it was the American tennis icon Billie Jean King, who started all of this and never backed off. The result, the US Open this year celebrates 50 years after they introduced the concept of equal pay in tennis. Reacting to this, John McEnroe, during his commentary stint in the match between Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev, came up with an idea that did not seem sustainable.
Reacting to this, the fans expressed their anger and went ahead to lash John McEnroe for his unrealistic ideas.
Fans react after John McEnroe’s comments spark debate
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John McEnroe, the ‘Superbrat’, recently said that the women’s winner should donate 10% of their prize money to Billie Jean King after all the efforts she had made to bring women’s tennis to power. Recently, Coco Gauff won her maiden US Open title and collected a $3 million cheque.
Reacting to this, the fans did not stop as they slammed the player-turned-commentator for his views. One fan took to Twitter to say that this was ideally a joke, however, it was not as funny as it should have been. “Yes…let us count the ways this “joke” of McEnroe’s was not funny…” said the fan
Yes…let us count the ways this “joke” of McEnroe’s was not funny… https://t.co/B213UsTfDA
— Lucy Caldwell (@lucymcaldwell) September 10, 2023
Another person highlighted the fact that this statement by McEnroe would have more sense had the prize money given to Billie been from the men’s division instead of the women’s. “Would have made more sense if he said she should get 10% of the men’s prize money,” said the fan
Would have made more sense if he said she should get 10% of the men’s prize money.
— Nathaniel Wice (@nathwice) September 10, 2023
This fan did not hold back his emotions as he suggested that McEnroe needs to be shot d*** after his ideas surfaced online. “McEnroe needs to be shot d*** he’s 90 anyway,” wrote the fan.
McEnroe needs to be shot d*** he's 90 anyway
— Rudera (@g0ddamnthesun) September 10, 2023
Another fan humorously highlighted that his COVID-19 infection might have taken over his brain. “COVID really ruined old man’s brain,” wrote the fan.
COVID really ruined old man's brain.
In my opinion. https://t.co/ZvXyl3LmGz
— Carlos Alcaraz is the GOAT (@GoatCaraz) September 10, 2023
This fan said that instead of the winner of the tournament giving 10%, it would be better if John McEnroe himself could donate the 10% earnings that he has made. “Maybe McEnroe should give BJK 10% of HIS earnings,” wrote the fan.
Maybe McEnroe should give BJK 10% of HIS earnings.
— Kara also this week (@KaraNextWeek) September 10, 2023
Thus, the fans did not hold back after they expressed their frustration and anger over the remarks made by John McEnroe. However, it is rightly said that Billie Jean King has been the building block of the modern-day WTA.
Billie Jean King laid the foundation of the modern-day WTA
Back in the year 1970, something really special happened in the world of tennis. Nine amazing women tennis players, known as the Original 9, came together and signed a very important contract. Just $1! It might not seem like a lot, but this $1 contract turned out to be incredibly important.
This small act of signing that contract started something big. These women didn’t realize it at the time, but their $1 deal sparked a huge movement. It led to the creation of a special tennis tour just for women. We call it the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour, and it changed the game of tennis forever.
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Thus, Billie Jeran King’s impact on the sport has been tremendous after the legendary player laid the foundation of the modern-day WTA. However, John McEnore’s remarks on the matter are not something that many would have looked up to.
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