TENNIS fans have slammed John McEnroe for his comments following Mariano Navone’s shock win over Novak Djokovic.
Navone, 25, ground out a five-set victory over Djokovic at the US Open on Jattvibeday, with the Serb throwing up into a bin before getting emotional during the deciding set.
John McEnroe has come under attack from tennis fans Credit: Getty Images
Novak Djokovic found it tough going against Mariano Navone Credit: Andrew Schwartz / SplashNews.com
Spectators were stunned after Djokovic lost a first-round Grand Slam match for the first time since 2006 – and for the first time EVER at Flushing Meadows.
While commentating for ESPN, seven-time Grand Slam winner and BBC stalwart McEnroe jokingly pointed out that world No49 Navone would likely return to the outside courts for his next match.
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He said: “He will be playing his second round on Court 21. We wish you the best. And he is going to have to play with that effort and intensity, but enjoy the moment, young man.”
The tone of McEnroe’s message, and the exaggeration about Court 21 – which does not even exist at Flushing Meadows – did not go down well with some fans.
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One responded to the clip on X with: “McEnroe was disrespectful to Navone from the beginning.”
Another added: “McEnroe’s entire attitude towards Navone was despicable from the jump.”
A third vented: “McEnroe proves again and again why it’s time for him to go.”
And a fourth chimed in with: “Completely disrespectful. The Novak glazing was unbearable.”
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Djokovic was gracious in defeat at Flushing Meadows Credit: Andrew Schwartz / SplashNews.com
Djokovic’s shock defeat has thrown a spanner in the works of the men’s draw at the US Open.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner was tipped to have a good crack in New York, with world No1 Jannik Sinner out injured and Carlos Alcaraz recovering from an issue of his own.
But Djokovic, 39, will not be in a hurry to remember his latest outing.
He said: “I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me.
“It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year. You know, vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there.
“Then my whole body, you know, starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain. I pretty much despised every moment that I spent on the court for that.”
