"Even Andy Murray would rank himself lower than Venus Williams" - Fans infuriated over American ranking below Brit in new top 100 athletes list
Venus Williams and Andy Murray featured in ESPN's recently released list of the top 100 professional athletes since 2000. However, the placement of the two tennis greats in the list created by the American media giant has led to controversy among tennis fans.
ESPN first released the bottom half (51-100) of its list of the top 100 athletes this century, with the two tennis legends part of this contingent. Andy Murray was ranked No. 80, while Venus Williams was placed at No. 86. Other tennis players like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, and Rafael Nadal are also expected to be on the list when the upper half is released.
Tennis fans were enraged by the ranking disparity between Venus Williams and Andy Murray. They suggested that the American should at least be ranked higher than the Brit because of the difference in their achievement and impact on the sport. Andy Murray has won three singles Grand Slam titles in his career. Meanwhile, Venus Williams has seven singles and 14 doubles Major titles.
Fans opined that even Murray would rank Williams higher than him and argued that Venus Williams and her younger sister Serena's impact on the sport deserves more respect than the list.
"Venus at #86 is blasphemous," a fan wrote.
"I think even Murray would rank himself lower than Venus," another fan posted on X.
A fan said, "and Venus has more gold medals, more singles titles, more doubles titles, more career singles wins… not to mention her and Serena literally revolutionizing the sport…"
Another fan pointed out that Venus Williams played a Grand Slam final at the 2017 Australian Open when she was 37, while Andy Murray could barely win a match at the Challenger level at the same age. Others expressed anger at ESPN, an American publication, for its apparent bias against tennis.
"Venus has more slams and gold medals…. And still not retired…. In 2017 at the age of 37 Venus made it to the Finals of Australian Open, Wimbledon and SF at US Open. In 2024 Andy Murray is now 37 years old could barely win a challenger match lol," a fan commented.
"It’s a complete joke and from an American publication as well. Venus beat all time greats to win her Slams, won twice as many as Murray did, and had much, much better longevity as well," said another fan.
"What?? Among a million other accomplishments, she paved the way for SERENA. Wow. It must just be a bias against tennis?" a fan posted on Reddit.
Fans also wondered about the fate of big female athletes like Serena Williams, Katie Ladecky, and Simona Biles on the list and questioned whether non-American female athletes like Nafi Thiam would be featured at all.
"See I just know this list gonna piss me off. Serena will probably be the only woman in the top 10 and she’ll be like #8. They’re gonna have Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky in the 30s or some shit… like just keep it," a fan comment read.
"The true test is if they place any relevance on females from outside the US. Nafi Thiam will be the absolute litmus test IMO," another fan wrote.
A closer comparison of Venus Williams and Andy Murray's careers
Venus Williams and Andy Murray have created a legacy, not only in tennis but in the entire sporting world. Williams, who turned professional in 1994, found incredible success in both singles and doubles games. She won her maiden singles Grand Slam at the 2000 Wimbledon Championships and went on to emerge triumphant at the grass slam in 2001, 2005, 2007, and 2008. Williams was also the title holder at the 2001 US Open and the singles gold medalist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Venus Williams, alongside Serena Williams, formed the second most successful women's doubles team at Grand Slam level in tennis history, with 14 doubles Majors together. The sisters took home three women's doubles Olympic gold medals (Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008, and London 2012). Venus Williams also rose to World No. 1 rankings in the singles as well as doubles games.
In comparison, Andy Murray is a three-time Grand Slam singles champion, winning the 2012 US Open and the 2013 and 2016 Wimbledon Championships. He was also a two-time gold medal holder at the Olympic games (London 2012 and Rio 16) and once ranked World No. 1 in the singles category.