John McEnroe on playing Serena Williams: ‘I could still take her’

John McEnroe told Jimmy Kimmel on Wednesday night that he could defeat Serena Williams if he played her in a match.

John McEnroe told Jimmy Kimmel on Wednesday night's episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! that he could defeat Serena Williams if he played her in a match.

“My daughters are over there,” 56-year-old McEnroe said. “I think it's mixed, they think I'd probably lose to Serena. I believe that I could still take her.”

Kimmel then asked why a bout between McEnroe and Williams hasn't already occurred, to which the former World No. 1 replied, “Serena - she's got a lot to lose by losing to an old fart like myself. And I got a lot to lose, because if I lose to, God forbid, a woman, then I'm not allowed in any men's locker room for the next 15 years, or possibly the end of my life.”

• Serena Williams can join elite group of calendar Grand Slam winners

McEnroe subsequently likened the fantasy match to a fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. He later added, “I don't think I could take her in the ring.”

Williams, 33, will go for a calendar Grand Slam at the U.S. Open next month.

Watch the full interview below:

- Kayla Lombardo