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John McEnroe explains the change he really doesn’t want to happen in tennis over the next few years

Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images
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John McEnroe mentioned a change that he hopes does not take place in tennis.

The American has been around the game both as a player and commentator for over 40 years and has seen it evolve and develop during that time.

Gone are the days of serve and volley each point, a style that helped McEnroe win seven Grand Slam titles.

The way the game is played now has significantly changed since the 65-year-old’s playing days and now he has spotted something that could impact the game moving forward.

What does John McEnroe not want to see happen in tennis?

McEnroe appeared on the latest episode of the Good Trouble Podcast with Nick Kyrgios, where he discussed the future of tennis.

This is when the three-time Wimbledon champion pointed out that the average height of players is taller than it once was.

According to McEnroe with it comes bigger serves and shorter rallies which he does not want to see in the game. McEnroe says that also explains why he enjoys watching Carlos Alcaraz, a shorter player who has an explosive and expansive all-around game.

“The average player is now 6ft 2inch, back then it was 5ft 10, prize money is evolving. What is going to change in the next 10 or 20 years?,” the former World number one said.

“I think I saw what was coming as I played with Ivan Lendl and he changed it because he was a big guy. 6ft 2inches, had that big serve, but didn’t serve volley and then they started slowing the courts down. I could see things happening.

“I don’t want it to be a bunch of guys who are 6 feet 8 inches who just serve out of a tree, and have one shot rallies. That’s why I like Alcaraz so much.”

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Where did John McEnroe last commentate?

McEnroe established himself as one of tennis’ most respected and outspoken commentators.

He last called action at the recently-concluded Wimbledon Championships, where Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic for the second successive year to claim back-to-back titles.

As mentioned above McEnroe is an admirer of Alcaraz and what he brings to the court. Speaking about him back in June, the former Laver Cup Team World captain said: “Alcaraz is a unique individual.

“He’s exciting, the most fun to watch, most athletic, got more game than anyone I’ve ever seen his age. The guy just turned 21, unbelievable that he can do anything.”