Donald Trump is a huge tennis fan, having most recently attended the final of the 2025 US Open.
Trump watched on as Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner in straight sets to win his second US Open crown.
Donald Trump’s favourite tennis player is Rafael Nadal, but he was prepared to pay a large sum for a match between two other tennis stars.
In 2000, the current President of the United States wanted another high-profile ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match between two American stars.
Donald Trump wanted to see John McEnroe vs Serena or Venus Williams
The ‘Battle of the Sexes’ was made famous by Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King, as the latter beat her male counterpart in front of a huge prime time television audience.
Trump wanted to create a similar match in 2000, this time pitting John McEnroe against Serena Williams or Venus Williams in a generational match.
After making the $1 million offer, Trump said: “I wrote a letter to my dear friend John making him the offer.
“I have not heard back from him, but I think it would be a great event, great for the game, and very exciting.”
Years later on The Jimmy Kimmel Show, McEnroe explained why he turned down the six-figure offer from Trump.
“Fifteen years ago Donald Trump, who seems to be in the news a little bit, he made an offer that I felt like was not enough.”
At the time, McEnroe was 41 years old while Williams was still a teenager at the age of 19. Williams was already a US Open champion at the time.
What Richard Williams and Venus Williams said in response
The Williams cohort was about as interested as McEnroe, as Trump’s lucrative idea failed to get off the ground.
Richard Williams simply said: ”We’re not interested,” while Venus balked at the idea of playing a man in his forties.
The multi-time Grand Slam champion said: ”I don’t think it’s fair to put a 20-year-old against a 40-something.”
The latest installment of the ‘Battles of the Sexes’ is set to take place on December 28, 2025, as Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios collide in Dubai.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
