Kvitova back in hunt after Birmingham win

The Czech beat Australian Ashleigh Barty 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the final of the grass-court event in Birmingham. It was just the two-time Wimbledon champion’s second tournament since recovering from severe injuries to her left playing hand suffered while fighting off a knife-wielding burglar.

Tennis legend John McEnroe says while he has great respect for Serena Williams as the best of her gender, the 23-time Grand Slam winner would be the 700th ranked player in the men›s game. Speaking as part of a tour to promote his new book “But Seriously”, McEnroe said he would place Williams “like 700 in the world” on the men’s circuit. “Best female player ever — no question. 

“If she had to just play the circuit, the men’s circuit, that would be an entirely different story,” McEnroe said.. The seven-time major winner said the best thing Williams would have going for her on the men’s tour would be her mental toughness. “The reality of what would happen on a given day is Serena Williams could beat some players, I believe, because she is so incredibly strong mentally,” he said.