The Battle of The Sexes Saga! Remember Serena and Venus versus Karsten Braasch?!

In light of Serena’s absence from the game for a while, AND John McEnroe's recent comments about her in comparison to male players, let’s reminisce about one of my favorite past Serena moments.

Serena Williams, undoubtedly one of the best female players to hit the circuit. . . .ever. I don’t really think there’s any arguing that. And her sister Venus Williams, also regarded as one of the all-time greats in women’s tennis.

But, there is this constant back and forth argument among men and women, that no matter how great of a player, a male player of a much lower ranking could still dominate his female competitor. 

Oh the ever-lasting battle of the sexes!

Well perhaps feeling a bit reminiscent about the iconic clash between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, a very young and maybe slightly over-eager young Serena and Venus, 16 and 17 years old at the time - Serena ranked in the 20’s, and Venus in the top 10 – challenged German male player Karsten Braasch of Germany, ranked 203rd, to a match at the Australian Open.

After a glorious morning of golfing under the Melbourne sun, Braasch hit the court with the sisters where each would play one set against him.

Braasch would make sure to get in a few puffs of a cigarette and a few gulps of beer during changeovers. And the sisters inflated ego’s were quickly popped when Braasch took out Serena 6-1 and Venus 6-2. 

Now of course 19 years later, and a record 7 Australian open titles later for Serena . . .

Let's go back to before Serena was pregnant. How do you think Serena would fair in a similar situation today? Obviously she’s much older, and wiser, and a much stronger player than she was back in 1998. But, if we were to have matched Serena up with the male number 203 player today, would the results still be the same? Hmmmm . . . .?

In general though, on this men versus the women topic, let’s hear some thoughts. 

Annnnnnnd Go!