sport news John McEnroe on Raducanu's panic attack at Wimbledon and why Andy Murray is a ... trends now
After Emma Raducanu, her chest heaving and struggling to breathe, retired during the fourth round at Wimbledon last year John McEnroe gave his view on what was unfolding.
This being the 2020s, his verdict that the occasion had got ‘a little bit too much for her’ ignited a firestorm on social media. Accusations flew back and forth that he had been insensitive in her hour of distress.
Nearly 12 months on, McEnroe has no regrets about his instant judgment (which the following day was pretty much endorsed by Raducanu herself).
John McEnroe stood by his comments about Emma Raducanu's mental strength at Wimbledon
‘I wouldn’t say anything different,’ he says, on reflection. ‘I was just giving an educated guess as to what I thought was happening, based on 40 or 45 years being around the professional game.’
In the primetime maelstrom that ensued, it was overlooked that McEnroe is not only the father of four girls but an East Coast liberal to his fingertips.
While many viewers found the scenes on Court One somewhat shocking, like many seasoned tennis observers he had witnessed something similar numerous times before. ‘It happens all the time,’ McEnroe adds. ‘It’s not like she’s the first person it’s happened to, this has been going on as far back as when I was playing.
‘You were supposed to grit your teeth and bear it and tough it out and this type of stuff. Now it’s becoming more of a discussion point, and rightfully so.
The then 18-year-old retired from her last-16 tie at SW19 in 2021 due to breathing difficulties
‘A lot of times for these young guys and girls, it’s a lot to deal with. Simona Halep (2019 Wimbledon champion) said she had the first panic attack of her life playing at the French Open. So this is something that’s being discussed more and more. If anything I was trying to be supportive of her (Emma). I was overwhelmed at times, I didn’t play Wimbledon for two years. I try to be as honest as possible and I will continue to try to do that.’
McEnroe may not be the best informed TV analyst, or have the deepest current knowledge, but he never commits the ultimate sin of being anodyne.
With Raducanu’s fitness uncertain for next week’s Championships he has sympathy for her, while being baffled by her lack of a full-time coach: ‘I’ve noticed at my tennis academy that a lot of these parents, they feel like they should coach their daughter or son, even if it appears that they don’t have much experience in it.
‘She’s a kid. She’s trying to grow up in front of the world and in front of people. And that can be difficult. It (the US Open win) happened so quickly for her. That just brings triple like what was happening at Wimbledon.’
However, Raducanu went on to impress at US Open - ultimately being crowned the champion
Now 63, McEnroe casts his eye over what is set to be an unusual Wimbledon in that there will be
