John McEnroe would have feared 'time in the slammer' if he was on social media
Former Wimbledon champion John McEnroe has admitted he's grateful social media wasn't around during his playing days or else he might have ended up "in the slammer".
The American ex-pro, who is part of the BBC's broadcast coverage for this year's tournament, was outspoken on the court on more than one occasion. Other members of the Beeb's team include controversial Australian player Nick Kyrgios, who accused commentator Andrew Castle of "spoling" the 2023 men's singles final.
McEnroe himself has attracted criticism for some of his comments while on the air. While working for NBC in the United States during the French Open, he asked whether champion Iga Swiatek "would consider throwing on a little makeup", prompting a social media backlash.
On the court, McEnroe's rants at umpires attracted plenty of attention. Social media wasn't a going concern until long after his retirement, though, and he sympathised with those of Kyrgios' generation.
"I'm not on social media. But I feel like if I was I may have spent some time in the slammer," McEnroe said. "I'm glad not to have had it during my playing career. From everything I hear, it seems like the players in the locker room, they're all on their phones the entire time. It's an epidemic for everyone, not just tennis players.
"Even though I felt like I was getting incredible attention, particularly at Wimbledon and negative attention oftentimes, it felt overwhelming, so I can only imagine how it feels now if every Tom, Dick and Harry can throw something at you as well.
“I guess the short answer is: 'Yes. I'm glad I'm not going through now what people like Nick are going through'. But I think he's on social media all the time. So there's got to be a part of him that likes it, I would assume."
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Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon in 2023
Kyrgios, 29, hinted at retirement towards the end of 2023 after an injury-hit few months. He played just once in 2023, and said "There is a part of me that knows my time in the sport may be over," though he later dialled back on those comments.
“I have woken up today and realised about some articles going around and saying that I am retired and that I’m not going to play anymore. I just want to just clear it up, it’s absolute nonsense," the Australian said in January.
“Yes, the last year has been tough with injury, my knee, my wrist, but I’m hungry as ever, constantly rehabbing, in the gym. Part of the reason why I am commentating and doing all these things around [the Australian Open] is to still feel that fire and still be a part of it.
“So I still wanted to let everyone know, all my fans I’m coming back, stay tuned, but there’s plenty left in the tank. Don’t stress.”
Nick Kyrgios during the Wimbledon men's singles final in 2022
McEnroe, who won the last of his Wimbledon crowns 40 years ago, shared sympathies with Kyrgios over the Australian's off-court issues. Kyrgios revealed in the Netflix series Break Point that he contemplated suicide after his Wimbledon exit in 2019, though he would reach the final at SW19 three years later.
“I feel like Nick has talked about some struggles emotionally,” McEnroe added. "I don’t know if he has setbacks physically which has not allowed him to play. Or if he has decided: ‘Hey, I would like to do a podcast, I want to be a commentator now’. I think he can be good at it because I think he is pretty good at it already.
“Both of us would probably be in the category where maybe we could have done more. If he is content in having gotten to the Wimbledon final two years ago, and he feels he has maxxed out in what he can do, that is his decision. I do hope that he gives it an all out chance to play you know before it's too late.”