McEnroe: Trump once offered me money to play Serena

Picture if you will a tennis match between Serena Williams and John McEnroe, sponsored by Donald Trump.

According to a recent interview with McEnroe on the "Dan Patrick Show," that scenario was close to becoming a reality at one point. McEnroe addressed his recent comment that Williams would barely manage a top-700 ranking were she to compete with men, and he claims that the businessman-turned-president was interested in paying him to take on the tennis superstar.

"Over the course of time, people - including our now president, wasn't president at the time - have offered me sums of money to play Serena or Venus," said McEnroe. "I don't know why I'm always the guy that they want to play, the old fart now, 'Couldn't you still beat Serena?'

"But at any rate, I believe I have some ability left and I had pride when I played ... Why don't they ask her to play Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal on clay, see how that goes?"

Williams offered a firm response to McEnroe's initial comment, but the seven-time major winner isn't backing down in his assertion that even the best female players would struggle against male competition.

"Have the women play in the men's circuit and we'll see what happens," said McEnroe. "Let them all play for the next two years and see what the rankings are."

- With h/t to Sporting News