Breaking News: Lot of people have a problem with us, because we’re not too friendly” – When Serena Williams snapped back after John McEnroe’s ‘humility’ suggestion…..See More

Serena Williams once responded strongly after she and her sister Venus were criticized by fellow American John McEnroe. The seven-time Grand Slam champion had accused them of lacking respect and humility.

McEnroe criticized both Serena and Venus, acknowledging their early achievements as impressive but saying they needed to tone it down. He accused them of not showing enough respect to their opponents, which he saw as a negative trait.

What they have achieved is great, but they have no respect for anyone in the game. Enough Is Enough. Would it kill them to say hello to people in the locker room?” he said in 2000 (via The Guardian

Serena Williams didn’t take McEnroe’s comments lightly and made sure to set the record straight. In an interview with The Guardian that same year, she explained that she, Venus, and their parents, Richard and Oracene, preferred to stay close as a family. It wasn’t about avoiding conversations with fellow players, but rather about maintaining a professional relationship.

The 23-time Major champion believed that keeping a certain level of distance helped preserve her competitive edge and ultimately benefited her career.

I’m always around my mom, my dad, Venus, my whole family,” she said. “The world is not perfect. Just stick close to yourself and be not too friendly. That’s why a lot of people have a problem with us, because we’re not too friendly with anyone. We’re cordial, we say ‘hi’, etcetera.

I’m really serious about doing well here. If that’s what it takes, to have your game face on the whole time, that’s what I’m trying to do. I don’t want to come all this way to get only so far. I’m ready to go all the way now.”