via Getty
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – MARCH 20: (L-R) Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Serena Williams of the United States talk during the ribbon cutting ceremony on the new Stadium Court at the Hard Rock Stadium, before the first match of the Miami Open on March 20, 2019 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
via Getty
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – MARCH 20: (L-R) Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Serena Williams of the United States talk during the ribbon cutting ceremony on the new Stadium Court at the Hard Rock Stadium, before the first match of the Miami Open on March 20, 2019 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
The discussion of the best player in any sport is bound to provoke many arguments. No matter how the argument starts, it will always devolve into a fight between fans. Ahead of the French Open final, Patrick Mouratoglou threw caution to the wind. He made comparisons between Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams which led to much mocking and criticism of the French coach.
While there are positives to each player, the G.O.A.T. of tennis debate has taken many forms. For Mouratoglou, the Djoker is close to being on the same level as the Queen of the Court, Serena Williams.
Fans incensed over Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams comparison
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As Novak Djokovic gears up to play against Casper Ruud in the final fans are intently waiting for him to set a new record in slams. While many have focused on just the match, the French coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, has another point of view to share with fans.
In a tweet ahead of the finals, Mouratoglou stated that Djokovic has the chance of coming to the same level as Serena Williams. A simple statement from an outsider’s point of view, but tennis fans were not happy. The outrage in his comment section began as soon as he uploaded his tweet.
Novak can tie Serena as the greatest tennis player of all times today.
— Patrick Mouratoglou (@pmouratoglou) June 11, 2023
Many fans were reminding the ex-coach of Serena Williams about the achievements of Margaret Court in tennis. One user outrightly stated that Margaret Court is at the top with no room for discussion.
It's still Margaret Smith Court, if you wanna go down that way (mixing women and men… which is totally wrong). But even based on your assumption on the total of GS won, Maggy still got 24 of them, unfortunately for Serena 😏
Oh… And if wanna come up with the "in open era" BS,… https://t.co/HbzpHNBgPN— Μ Δ Ж (@MR_Max75) June 11, 2023
Another fan added to the sentiment and asked Mouratoglou to think once again.
What about Margaret Court?
She’s the real greatest tennis player of all time.
Come on Patrick.
— MISTER T€NNIS PICK$ (@tennis_mister) June 11, 2023
Another fan stated that Steffi Graf, with one less title than Williams, and Court were better.
I thought Steffi Graf (1 slam less but but generally better results) and Margaret Court were ahead of Serena? Serena played Bo5?
— Novak Goat 🗼 (@novak_goat) June 11, 2023
Another fan said that the two are great in their own right and comparing them is unnecessary.
Ooo please Patrick let’s not. Serena is phenomenal in her own right, but combining/comparing the two is not on.
Thankful for your support for Novak 👏🏼— Ana (@_anatc0) June 11, 2023
Many fans also chastised him for mixing up men and women tennis players.
While one fan made that debate, they also put forth the thought of how comparing slams was not enough.
Not Patrick mixing up men's and women's tennis out of some misplaced sense of egalitarianism.
Also, Slams are overrated in the GOAT debate. Novak has done enough to be regarded as such, regardless of the result today. https://t.co/fwBEAZBend
— In my refocus era (@sangeetapremi) June 11, 2023
Another fan shared the idea in the simplest way.
You really cannot compare mens and women’s tennis. It is a different sport. https://t.co/wjDMezGxOt
— GAME TO LOVE (@GTLTennis) June 11, 2023
One person stated that his opinion was not the brightest one of his and they had much more to take into account.
Out of all people I can't believe you made this ridiculous statement.
Comparing tours is already ridiculous enough, but not taking into account things like him leading weeks at №1, level of competition (Novak had Federer and Nadal to go through)…
— Dino B (@DinoBrdar92) June 11, 2023
While another person said that Mouratoglou usually makes good points, he also says some stuff that changes his view of the coach.
For every smart thing you say, there is a dumb one coming up. Do you also compare Womens and Mens basketball players? https://t.co/DCG1XaAQYM
— JmDesign15 🇷🇸 (@Design15Jm) June 11, 2023
A fan said that Mouratoglou was wrong and that Williams was better than Djokovic.
Serena Williams>>>>>>>>>Novak Djokovic
And when I say that I mean that in regards to impact and legacy. https://t.co/eriu1COPz3— IStandWithVini (@melvinjtk) June 11, 2023
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Another fan reminded Mouratoglou of Williams’ achievement of winning a slam while she was pregnant.
Will he ever play a grand slam pregnant and win it? Nobody is touching her that way regardless of numbers 👋🏾👋🏾👋🏾👋🏾 https://t.co/XzecTLzyVF
— Wandy🖤🖤🍭🍭♉♉♉ (@simplywandy) June 11, 2023
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Mouratoglou has been the perpetrator of many controversial opinions. In this instance, he has added to the list of statements that have angered fans.
Watch this story – Serena Williams’ Ex-coach Patrick Mouratoglou Launches Fresh Controversy as He Irks Rafael Nadal Fans With a Biased Novak Djokovic Statement
