John McEnroe is known for being an outspoken individual especially during his tennis career.
The American has never been afraid to speak his mind, as his memorable outbursts at chair umpires illustrate.
Since his playing days John McEnroe, 66, has gone on to become one of tennis’ most successful commentators.
But following the conclusion of the men’s French Open final a month ago, the former world number one made a comment that left some members of the tennis world both surprised and unhappy.
John McEnroe hits back at comments made about Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal at the French Open
The tennis world was left in awe after witnessing an all-time classic French Open final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
The Spaniard came from two sets down and saved match points in the fourth set to win 4–6, 6–7, 6–4, 7–6, 7–6 in five hours and 29 minutes, the second-longest Grand Slam final of all time.
After seeing the level they were able to produce, McEnroe seemed to suggest that Sinner and Alcaraz could beat Rafael Nadal in his prime at the French Open. The seven-time Grand Slam champion’s comments were criticised, but he has since clarified what he meant.
“He would still win six or seven of them. He might not have won 14 of them, that’s all I am saying. That these guys could challenge him. I did not say that they are better than him,” McEnroe told 6-Love-6 on BBC Sounds.
“Nadal would have the same equipment and blah, blah, blah. They just make it up [what he said]. They didn’t misunderstand it, they made it up.
“This is what I said ‘the fact you could even think someone could compete with Nadal is amazing’. You could look at Alcaraz the way he plays at the French and go, he could give him a match.”
Did Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz beat Rafael Nadal during his career?
Nadal played Sinner and Alcaraz a combined total of six times during his career.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion defeated Sinner each of the three times they faced one another. Each meeting took place on clay and the current world number one was unable to win a set.
Like Sinner, Nadal played his 2024 Olympics doubles partner Alcaraz on three occasions. The first match came at the 2021 Madrid Open, where Nadal secured a comprehensive 6-1, 6-2 victory.
The following year they met in the Indian Wells semi-finals, which Nadal claimed in three sets in blustery conditions.
‘But in their third and final meeting, Alcaraz and Nadal played in the Spanish capital once again, and this time it was the younger Spaniard who prevailed, bringing their short rivalry to an end.
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