John McEnroe is as soon as once more on the middle of controversy throughout Wimbledon, with viewers demanding that ESPN take away him from its commentary staff attributable to repeated errors and perceived disrespect towards lower-ranked gamers.
The previous world No. 1, who has been a distinguished voice in tennis broadcasting for many years, has come underneath hearth for what followers name an absence of preparation and professionalism.
The most recent wave of criticism was sparked in the course of the third-round match between Ben Shelton and Marton Fucsovics, when McEnroe repeatedly mispronounced the Hungarian participant’s identify on air.
Viewers famous that he referred to him as “Fuskovitz” and “Fuksovitz,” neither of which was right.
“Why does John McEnroe have so little respect for different, ‘lesser’ gamers that he doesn’t hassle studying the right way to pronounce their names?” one consumer posted on X.
One other added: “If ESPN will not retire him, can we no less than compromise and preserve him off broadcasts till the semi-finals the place he’ll really know the gamers?”
The problem shouldn’t be new. McEnroe has an extended historical past of mispronunciations and giving the impression that he solely carefully follows the game’s top-tier stars.
Finally yr’s Wimbledon, Australian professional John Millman blasted McEnroe for his commentary on Carlos Alcaraz’s match in opposition to Nicolas Jarry, saying, “How a commentator can say ‘we do not know Jarry however we’ll get to know him’ is past ridiculous.”
Lengthy-standing complaints resurface
McEnroe has additionally been criticized for his feedback throughout different Grand Slams, together with the Australian Open, the place he struggled to pronounce Stefanos Tsitsipas‘ identify accurately.
Social media customers expressed frustration, calling it a recurring sample and questioning his dedication to studying in regards to the full spectrum of expertise within the sport.
“McEnroe solely is aware of the highest gamers. He is good to take heed to however I doubt he follows the sport outdoors the slams,” one consumer remarked.
One other added, “McEnroe not having a clue who Flavio Cobolli is however nonetheless being one of many fundamental guys on a mic at slams for ESPN… Cooked.”
Regardless of these criticisms, McEnroe stays one of the vital prominent-and highest-paid-commentators within the sport.
Along with his ESPN duties, he additionally seems on the BBC’s Wimbledon protection, the place he reportedly earns practically $19,000 per day in the course of the match.
BBC wage reviews from final yr present McEnroe earned between $265,000 and $270,000 for the 2023/24 interval, barely down from his earlier 278,000 paycheck.
“He is among the hottest and revered pundits in tennis,” a BBC supply informed The Occasions in 2023. “And he supplies a singular perspective to our protection.”
McEnroe‘s commentary profession started in 1992 with NBC, and he now earns an estimated $10 million yearly from his broadcasting work.
Whereas some followers nonetheless admire his candid fashion and insider perspective, others consider his lack of respect for rising gamers is sporting skinny.
As strain mounts and criticism continues to construct on-line, questions stay about whether or not ESPN will make modifications forward of the later phases of Wimbledon, or whether or not McEnroe will proceed to name the pictures, mispronunciations and all.
