"You just disrespecting Serena Williams on her birthday"- Fans incensed by Caitlin Clark being compared to American icon, Simone Biles & Katie Ledecky

WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark being put in the same bracket as American legends Serena Williams, Simone Biles, and Katie Ledecky by ESPN has left fans outraged. They have voiced out their fury over the fact that the 22-year-old doesn't have enough achievements under her belt for her to be compared to three women who are widely considered to be the greatest athletes.

Clark made her WNBA debut this year with the Indiana Fever after she was picked first in the draft earlier in the year. With expectations riding high, she did not disappoint and with a record-shattering season; the American managed to score 769 points and a record-setting 337 assists.

ESPN put the 22-year-old's accomplishments in the same bracket as Serena Williams' 23 Majors, Simone Biles' 11 Olympic golds, and Katie Ledecky's nine golds. The list was titled 'Trailblazing Athletes'.

Fans took umbrage at ESPN's comparisons and took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their opinions. One fan mentioned how ESPN was disrespecting Serena Williams on her birthday (26 September) and questioned how Caitlin Clark was a 'trailblazer'.

"You just disrespecting Serena, on her birthday, by adding her to this. Caitlin Clark hasn't won jack shit yet but u have her has a trailblazer? @espn be fcking for real," the fan said.

Another fan mentioned that Williams, Biles, and Ledecky were the greatest in their field, while Clark is yet to win a championship. They felt the comparisons were disrespectful towards the three American legends.

"3 GOATs of their respective sports, internationally recognised, champions of everything their sport has to offer… & ESPN have the audacity to put CC with their names? A girl that ain’t won 1 championship at any level? The disrespect to Serena, Simone & Katie is unfathomable," the fan mentioned.

Here are some other reactions from the fans.

"Also for ESPN to compare her to serena Williams, Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky is insulting to those three champions. They won championships, medals and what has Caitlin won? Nothing!!! The absolute nerve," a fan opined.

"Holy crap. ESPN is really comparing Caitlin Clark to Serena, Katie Ledecky and Simone Biles?!!?!?!?!" a fan questioned.

"The best ever in her sport, with a million titles. The best ever in her sport, with a million gold medals. The best ever in her sport, with a million gold medals. ESPN's special girl who has never won anything and only played a single season professionally," a fan commented.

"Bruh this is why people rage about Caitlin. Like what is she even doing up there next to Serena and Simone," a fan asked.

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"Hopefully she'll continue to do what she's doing" - Serena Williams advises Caitlin Clark to move ahead without thinking about the negativity around her

Serena Williams (Source: Getty)

During the premiere of her docuseries 'In the Arena: Serena Williams' at the Tribeca Festival, Serena Williams mentioned how she was frequently bullied in the past.

“I was bullied. Things I had to go through, now, people would be canceled for saying back then.”

She later talked about how she loved Caitlin Clark's humility and also touched upon how the WNBA wasn't a fan of looking at her socials, which also appealed to Williams. The American legend advised Clark to continue what she was doing despite the negativity around her.

“I just love that she tries to stay grounded and that she doesn't look at her socials… I get it. I don't either. And I think it's so important to continue doing what she's doing… And no matter what other people do, if people are negative then it's because they can't do what you do… basically. And hopefully she'll continue to do what she's doing.”

Serena Williams also gave a shoutout to Clark during the 2024 ESY Awards during her opening monologue. She called her an amazing player and compared her to basketball legend Larry Bird.