As another dramatic Wimbledon championship nears its conclusion one reassuring constant remains – John McEnroe and his uncompromising pearls of wisdom. ‘Superbrat’, as he was dubbed during his temperamental playing days, has never been short of something to say and the situation has been no different throughout his co-commentary stint at SW19 this year.
The BBC raised a few eyebrows this week when figures published confirming the corporation’s highest earners revealed that McEnroe picks up around £210,000 for just two weeks’ work during the grass-court grand slam. Not a bad deal if you can get it.
Bosses and TV viewers would hope for something entertaining in return for such an outlay and whether you love him or hate him the American has proven once again this year that he can never be ignored.
McEnroe ruffled a few feathers when before Carlos Alcaraz’ third round match against Nicolas Jarry, he made a comment that suggested that Jarry was an unknown, even though the Chilean is ranked 28th in the world.
That sparked a response from Australian tennis player John Millman, who tweeted: “How a commentator can say ‘we don’t know Jarry but we’ll get to know him’ is beyond ridiculous. 87 million people play tennis worldwide and this guy is the 28th best at it currently.”
Just 24 hours later, McEnroe was in hot water once again for launching a barrage of criticism in the direction Alexander Bublik during his thrilling five-set match against Andrey Ruble, accusing the Kazakhstani player of being in a competition with Nick Kyrgios over who is the laziest player.
During Monday’s coverage from SW19, presenter Clare Balding apologised to viewers after McEnroe made threw in an X-rated joke live on air. The pair were discussing the day’s weather conditions alongside pundits Tim Henman and Tracy Austin, when Balding said: “It’s one of those days that would see a bit of swing on the ball in cricket.”
Keen to get in on the act McEnroe asked: “Are the swingers the ones who don’t throw it as hard? Is that what swingers are? We have different definitions in the States!”
A rattled Balding quickly fired him a warning, saying: “We’re talking about something completely different, John! It’s not a channel for that sort of talk.”
The BBC anchor felt obliged to apologise to viewers once again on Wednesday, when during an on-air conversation about the technological differences between eras in tennis, McEnroe referred to himself and fellow pundit Austin as “old farts”.
Facing the camera, Balding said: “Yes, if you heard that word I apologise.”
A bemused McEnroe enquired: “It’s okay to say that isn’t it?” To which Balding replied: “Well I think so, I am not sure but just in case.”
When spectators were allowed to enter Centre Court and take their seats after Novak Djokovic’s match against Andrey Rublev on Tuesday evening, the match umpire was forced to intervene by telling Wimbledon staff to stop letting fans in – in line with the court’s standard protocol.
Reacting to the situation, McEnroe jibed: “Unheard of here at Wimbledon, letting people in after the first game,” before co-commentator Andrew Castle added: “Appalling behaviour. 6.30am meeting tomorrow is going to be…”
The three-time All England Club champion still has a couple of days left to squeeze in a few more memorable on-air gems, should he choose to, before he flies back to the US. Either way, he will be returning to the States considerably richer than when he arrived.
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