Old Serena Williams clip is exploding online and reigniting the tennis gender war
A clip that keeps resurfacing
A short segment from a past appearance by Serena Williams on The Late Show with David Letterman is once again circulating widely online.
According to footage from the original CBS broadcast, later reshared on X by commentator Larry Alex Taunton, the clip captures Williams speaking unusually candidly about gender differences in elite tennis.
The interview moment has reappeared multiple times over the years, often gaining renewed traction as debates around gender and sport flare up online.
What Williams said on Letterman
During the exchange, Williams pushed back against the idea that men’s and women’s tennis can be judged on the same competitive scale. Speaking directly to host David Letterman, she explained that the divide was rooted in physical differences rather than skill, success or work ethic.
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“Men’s & women’s tennis are completely different sports,” Williams said.
She then offered a hypothetical example to make her point, referencing Andy Murray, the British player who is a multiple time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1.
“If I played Andy Murray, I’d lose 6,0, 6,0 in 5 minutes…. It’s true,” she said.
How she explained the difference
Williams went on to outline why she believed the outcome would be so lopsided. According to her comments during the interview, the men’s game operates at a level of speed and power that fundamentally separates it from the women’s tour.
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“He would kill me. Men are a lot faster, serve harder, and hit harder,” she said.
She closed the exchange by stating her personal preference plainly, “I only want to play girls.”
Why the comments still spark reaction
The clip’s renewed popularity comes as discussions around equality in sport continue to draw attention, particularly when it comes to pay, visibility and comparisons between men’s and women’s competitions.
Williams has long been a central figure in those conversations, often advocating for greater recognition of women athletes.
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According to The Late Show with David Letterman, the exchange was intended as a candid and lighthearted discussion rather than a broader statement on policy or fairness.
Still, its repeated circulation highlights how remarks from high profile athletes can take on new life years later, especially when viewed through today’s social media lens.
Sources, X, The Late Show with David Letterman
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