John McEnroe's commentary during the 2023 Wimbledon Championships has left several tennis fans feeling disappointed. Many have expressed their frustration towards the former World No. 1 for supposedly undermining the popularity of Chile's Nicolas Jarry during his third-round match against Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz defeated Jarry 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3, 7-5 in three hours and 56 minutes. He will next face former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini in the fourth round (Round of 16) of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships on Monday.
During Alcaraz's third-round match, John McEnroe suggested that Nicolas Jarry was not well-known and that the Chilean would gain recognition in due course. This bit of commentary sparked discontent among tennis fans, who promptly voiced their frustration on social media.
One fan pointed out that it was not the first instance of McEnroe making such comments.
"What’s even more embarrassing is that he does this all the time," a fan tweeted.
Another fan tweeted that, after hearing John McEnroe's commentary, they have come to believe that the American doesn't watch tennis.
"Sometimes I think John McEnroe doesn't watch tennis.... And he's a tennis commentator. Eesh," the fan tweeted.
Here are a few other reactions:
"It's comical" - John McEnroe questions tennis' interest in Saudi investment after golf debacle
John McEnroe has expressed concerns regarding the interest of tennis' governing bodies in investment from Saudi Arabia, especially in light of the ongoing official investigation conducted by the Department of Justice (DOJ) into the Saudi-backed LIV Series. The DOJ's investigation is centered around potential antitrust issues.
Saudi Arabia has been in talks with the ATP tour regarding potential joint investments in the sport, facilitated by their sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Moreover, the PIF is actively seeking the opportunity to host the 2023 Next Gen Finals in Jeddah.
During a conversation with Front Office Sports, John McEnroe expressed his strong disapproval of the collaboration, clearly stating his opposition towards it. He raised concerns about the tennis officials' decision to engage with the Saudis, particularly considering the highly publicized golf debacle.
“I don’t know why in the hell tennis would suddenly be; let’s talk to the Saudis after the debacle that you’re watching in golf," he said. "To me, it’s comical that it’s even being brought up right now."
The American expressed reservations about endorsing the collaboration, as he firmly believes it is not a direction tennis should be pursuing.
“I wouldn’t encourage it personally, the Saudi thing. I’m not surprised that tennis is being thrown into the mix after what we saw in golf,” McEnroe added. “I don’t think that’s something that we should be pursuing. It’s not in my hands.”