--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But Serena Williams is right, albeit not…" description: "\"“But Serena Williams is right, albeit not as funny as she might have been: his statement is not factually based. 700th? Where did that come from? McEnr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d8/the-guardian-28688_hysteria_but-serena-williams-is-right-albeit-not_89108.jpg" --- # But Serena Williams is right, albeit not as funny as she… ![“But Serena Williams is right, albeit not as funny as she might have been: his statement is not factually based. 700th? Where did that come from? McEnroe was meaning to say, “She needn’t think she’s all that; there are plenty of men in the world who could beat her” but he overegged it with the…” quote by The Guardian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d8/the-guardian-28688_hysteria_but-serena-williams-is-right-albeit-not_89108.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d8/the-guardian-28688_hysteria_but-serena-williams-is-right-albeit-not_89108.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d8/the-guardian-28688_hysteria_but-serena-williams-is-right-albeit-not_89108.jpg) > ““But Serena Williams is right, albeit not as funny as she might have been: his statement is not factually based. 700th? Where did that come from? McEnroe was meaning to say, “She needn’t think she’s all that; there are plenty of men in the world who could beat her” but he overegged it with the number 700, which is a rather hysterical guess.”” [The Guardian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-guardian/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A critique of a sports commentator's exaggerated claim, highlighting the absurdity of assigning a precise numeric milestone without evidence. **In simple terms:** Criticizing unfounded sports statistics. Key Takeaway Numbers must be factual. Themes sports journalism accuracy hyperbole credibility Mood skeptical analytical Type critical journalistic When to use this quote - sports commentary - opinion columns - media literacy workshops Key Concepts fact‑checking media criticism Practical Applications - fact‑checking articles - media training Questions to Reflect On - How does hyperbole affect audience trust? - What standards should journalists uphold? A Different Perspective None ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hysteria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hysteria/) [Tennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tennis/) ## Related quotes > [“Here’s the ultimate glitch in his argument. If you extrapolate logically from John McEnroe’s suggestion that 699 people are better at tennis than Serena…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-guardian/here-s-the-ultimate-glitch-in-his-argument-if-you-extrapolate/) [The Guardian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-guardian/) > [“If it weren’t hysterical – if the amazing Serena Williams would really be 700th in the world if playing against men – this would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-guardian/if-it-weren-t-hysterical-if-the-amazing-serena-williams-would-really/) [The Guardian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-guardian/) > [“Even if he had got the theoretical ranking correct, though, what’s his point? That physically stronger tennis players have an advantage over smaller ones?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-guardian/even-if-he-had-got-the-theoretical-ranking-correct-though-what-s-his/) [The Guardian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-guardian/) > [I never suspected that we or any one person or program can create Serena Williams or John McEnroe or Pete Sampras.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-mcenroe/i-never-suspected-that-we-or-any-one-person-or-program-can-create/) [Patrick McEnroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-mcenroe/) > [I'm not invincible. I'm no Serena Williams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johanna-konta/i-m-not-invincible-i-m-no-serena-williams/) [Johanna Konta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johanna-konta/) > [Since I retired, I very much enjoy watching Serena Williams play. While I was playing, she was one of the toughest players I ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-seles/since-i-retired-i-very-much-enjoy-watching-serena-williams-play-while/) [Monica Seles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-seles/) > [Serena Williams is my sports idol.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christen-press/serena-williams-is-my-sports-idol/) [Christen Press](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christen-press/) > [I'm not gonna lie, I love Usain Bolt and Serena Williams. What I love about Serena is that she just gets on the floor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabby-douglas/i-m-not-gonna-lie-i-love-usain-bolt-and-serena-williams-what-i-love/) [Gabby Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabby-douglas/) > [Serena Williams is the greatest tennis player of all time, the greatest female athlete of all time, the greatest athlete of all time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katrina-adams/serena-williams-is-the-greatest-tennis-player-of-all-time-the/) [Katrina Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katrina-adams/) > [When Serena Williams is number one, its hard to think of being number one, but still I have confidence that I can win more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simona-halep/when-serena-williams-is-number-one-its-hard-to-think-of-being-number/) [Simona Halep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simona-halep/) > [I think every single point will be important, .. I think more than anything, I'll just have to be able to compete better. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/venus-williams/i-think-every-single-point-will-be-important-i-think-more-than/) [Venus Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/venus-williams/) > [I feel lucky to live at a time when the dominant tennis players are Venus and Serena Williams. And to have lived through the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-elliott-clarke/i-feel-lucky-to-live-at-a-time-when-the-dominant-tennis-players-are/) [George Elliott Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-elliott-clarke/) > [I always say that I want to play Serena Williams if they ever did a biopic of hers. I definitely want to do that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-erivo/i-always-say-that-i-want-to-play-serena-williams-if-they-ever-did-a/) [Cynthia Erivo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-erivo/) > [My role is to think about tennis and to help Serena Williams be the best she can be and do what she wants to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-mouratoglou/my-role-is-to-think-about-tennis-and-to-help-serena-williams-be-the/) [Patrick Mouratoglou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-mouratoglou/) > [I admire Serena Williams, because, I mean, who doesn't admire Serena Williams?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johanna-konta/i-admire-serena-williams-because-i-mean-who-doesn-t-admire-serena/) [Johanna Konta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johanna-konta/) ## More by The Guardian > [“A gentle giant, not a sexist or possessive bone in his body”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-guardian/a-gentle-giant-not-a-sexist-or-possessive-bone-in-his-body/) [The Guardian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-guardian/) > [“It’s also a shame because I didn’t have John McEnroe pegged as an idiot. He seems bright, funny and quite liberated. Only a couple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-guardian/it-s-also-a-shame-because-i-didn-t-have-john-mcenroe-pegged-as-an/) [The Guardian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-guardian/) > [“In a patriarchal society like ours, says Horley, domestic violence will always be with us. “Women don’t even have equal pay. Girls are still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-guardian/in-a-patriarchal-society-like-ours-says-horley-domestic-violence-will/) [The Guardian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-guardian/) > [“It’s also a shame because I didn’t have John McEnroe pegged as an idiot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-guardian/it-s-also-a-shame-because-i-didn-t-have-john-mcenroe-pegged-as-an-2/) [The Guardian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-guardian/) > [“Domestic violence – the warning signs Advertisement Common abusive behaviours set out in Power and Control: • Jealousy and possessiveness. • Humiliating and insulting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-guardian/domestic-violence-the-warning-signs-advertisement-common-abusive/) [The Guardian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-guardian/) > [“The 2015 legislation concerning “coercive control” was also a step forward, attempting to tackle the techniques other than violence that are used by a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-guardian/the-2015-legislation-concerning-coercive-control-was-also-a-step/) [The Guardian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-guardian/) > [“Sarah couldn’t handle prison and prison couldn’t handle her,” the inquest jury heard from a fellow prisoner.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-guardian/sarah-couldn-t-handle-prison-and-prison-couldn-t-handle-her-the/) [The Guardian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-guardian/) > [“There’s far greater awareness now – and the great thing is women know there’s help available.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-guardian/there-s-far-greater-awareness-now-and-the-great-thing-is-women-know/) [The Guardian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-guardian/) > [“Even if he had got the theoretical ranking correct, though, what’s his point? 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In front of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-guardian/and-then-the-priest-came-i-d-never-allow-this-now-but-in-those-days/) [The Guardian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-guardian/) > [“If it weren’t hysterical – if the amazing Serena Williams would really be 700th in the world if playing against men – this would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-guardian/if-it-weren-t-hysterical-if-the-amazing-serena-williams-would-really/) [The Guardian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-guardian/) > [“And they’re all nice, cheerful environments, because that’s what the women deserve.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-guardian/and-they-re-all-nice-cheerful-environments-because-that-s-what-the/) [The Guardian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-guardian/) > [“Problem is, John, there’s no point anybody competing. It’s all pointless. It’s just whiling away the time with a bit of entertainment before we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-guardian/problem-is-john-there-s-no-point-anybody-competing-it-s-all-pointless/) [The Guardian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-guardian/) [Explore all 19 The Guardian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-guardian/) ## More Hysteria quotes > [I wish you a wrestling match with your Creative Muse that will last a lifetime. ... I wish craziness and foolishness and madness upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/i-wish-you-a-wrestling-match-with-your-creative-muse-that-will-last-a/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [I need voices of reason and of hysteria and of empathy. I need to have an Alanis moment. I need advice from Elizabeth Bennett.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melina-marchetta/i-need-voices-of-reason-and-of-hysteria-and-of-empathy-i-need-to-have/) [Melina Marchetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melina-marchetta/) > [The difference is that we have the hardest and most painful evidence that there was a Holocaust. But, for the global warming scenario that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-difference-is-that-we-have-the-hardest-and-most-painful-evidence/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [“It’s my fault!” And then I cross some line into hysteria and there’s a needle in my arm and the world slips away.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/it-s-my-fault-and-then-i-cross-some-line-into-hysteria-and-there-s-a/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“As mandatory reporting laws and community awareness drove an increase its child protection investigations throughout the 1980s, some children began to disclose premeditated, sadistic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-salter/as-mandatory-reporting-laws-and-community-awareness-drove-an-increase/) [Michael Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-salter/) > [In the nineteeth century, knitting was prescribed to women as a cure for nervousness and hysteria. Many new knitters find this sort of hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-pearl-mcphee/in-the-nineteeth-century-knitting-was-prescribed-to-women-as-a-cure/) [Stephanie Pearl-McPhee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-pearl-mcphee/) > [Hysteria and degeneration have always existed; but they formerly showed themselves sporadically, and had no importance in the life of the whole community. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-nordau/hysteria-and-degeneration-have-always-existed-but-they-formerly/) [Max Nordau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-nordau/) > [The Hollywood atmosphere of crises and continuous anxiety is a kind of hysteria which prevents people from thinking, and is not too different from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hortense-powdermaker/the-hollywood-atmosphere-of-crises-and-continuous-anxiety-is-a-kind/) [Hortense Powdermaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hortense-powdermaker/) > [One day I shall burst my bud of calm and blossom into hysteria.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-fry/one-day-i-shall-burst-my-bud-of-calm-and-blossom-into-hysteria/) [Christopher Fry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-fry/) > [I spent months searching for some secret code before I realized that common sense has nothing to do with it. Hysteria, psychosis, torture, depression:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/i-spent-months-searching-for-some-secret-code-before-i-realized-that/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) > [I believe in anything that causes mass hysteria in children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robby-takac/i-believe-in-anything-that-causes-mass-hysteria-in-children/) Robby Takac > [We must grow out of religion. It is either bugaboo, formalism, or hysteria. Besides, what proof is there that "the churches" know more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-aldington/we-must-grow-out-of-religion-it-is-either-bugaboo-formalism-or/) [Richard Aldington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-aldington/) > [My prescription for writer's block is to face the fact that there is no such thing… Writing well is difficult, but one can always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-mallon/my-prescription-for-writer-s-block-is-to-face-the-fact-that-there-is/) [Thomas Mallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-mallon/) > [“A kind of joyous hysteria moved into the room, everything flying before the wind, vehicles outside getting dented to hell, the crowd sweaty and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-proulx/a-kind-of-joyous-hysteria-moved-into-the-room-everything-flying/) [Annie Proulx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-proulx/) > [We may say that hysteria is a caricature of an artistic creation, a compulsion neurosis a caricature of a religion, and a paranoiac delusion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/we-may-say-that-hysteria-is-a-caricature-of-an-artistic-creation-a/) [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) [Browse all 257 Hysteria quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hysteria/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“But Serena Williams is right, albeit not as funny as she might have been: his statement is not factually based. 700th? 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