Yes, they can be serious.
During his tennis career, McEnroe became known for outbursts on the court when he thought umpires had missed a call. In one classic exchange, he yelled at an official, “You cannot be serious! That ball was on the line!”
John McEnroe has got himself in trouble:
Garcia-Navarro: We’re talking about male players but there is of course wonderful female players. Let’s talk about Serena Williams. You say she is the best female player in the world in the book.
McEnroe: Best female player ever — no question.
Garcia-Navarro: Some wouldn’t qualify it, some would say she’s the best player in the world. Why qualify it?
McEnroe: Oh! Uh, she’s not, you mean, the best player in the world, period?
Garcia-Navarro: Yeah, the best tennis player in the world. You know, why say female player?
McEnroe: Well because if she was in, if she played the men’s circuit she’d be like 700 in the world.
Garcia-Navarro: You think so?
McEnroe: Yeah. That doesn’t mean I don’t think Serena is an incredible player. I do…
Do you see the problem? Of course, you do not if you put on your rational thinking cap. But put on your “everything is about race and gender and white privilege; context is irrelevant” cap, and the problem will jump out at you in spades.
Let’s revisit:
McEnroe: Oh! Uh, she’s not, you mean, the best player in the world, period?
Garcia-Navarro: Yeah, the best tennis player in the world. You know, why say female player?
Garcia-Navarro clarified: “…the best tennis player in the world.” Period!
Serena Williams responded via two tweets:
Dear John, I adore and respect you but please please keep me out of your statements that are not factually based.
I guess one could make an argument about “700”; is this the issue? Because I cannot…