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Cape Town - World tennis icon Billie Jean King has dismissed the notion that Serena Williams would be able to compete against some of the game’s top men’s players.
Williams recently equalled Steffi Graf’s Open Era record of 22 Grand Slam singles titles when she won her seventh Wimbledon crown.
In total Grand Slam singles titles, Williams is now only two away from equalling the all-time record held by Australia's Margaret Court, who won 24 majors.
King, who won 12 Grand Slam singles titles, has been an iconic figure for women’s tennis and has carried the debate for equality for many years.
But Williams would stand no chance against the top men, King insisted.
When probed on the matter, 72-year-old King told TMZ Sports: “No, not the top men. We’ve never said we’re better than men or anything. We’re just saying we’re just as entertaining, sometimes more entertaining.
“So no, because we don’t have androgens that the guys have. It’s because of testosterone. They’ve done all kinds of studies now...”
Williams is currently in Rio de Janeiro where she will be defending her gold medal in the women’s singles.
