John McEnroe stops Clare Balding during BBC's Wimbledon coverage – 'Not going to happen!'
Iga Swiatek made light work of Amanda Anisimova in the Wimbledon final, and it's fair to say John McEnroe didn't see the result materialising that way after shooting down Clare Balding
John McEnrow cut off Clare Balding to make a point on BBC's commentary ahead of Saturday's Wimbledon final
(Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport, CameraSport via Getty Images )
Commentator Clare Balding might be owed an apology from John McEnroe after he dismissed her prediction before Iga Swiatek's emphatic Wimbledon final win.
The Polish sensation dispatched Amanda Anisimova with a stunning 6-0, 6-0 scoreline on Saturday, securing her maiden title at SW19 in dominant fashion. The victory was even more commanding than Swiatek's 6-2, 6-0 semi-final drubbing of Belinda Bencic—a performance so authoritative that McEnroe couldn't see it being repeated.
That's despite Balding's pre-match suggestion of another potential clean sweep for Swiatek should she hit top form once again on Centre Court.
"And that match against Bencic, she [Swiatek] just didn't put a foot wrong," said the BBC host just before the final began (via Daily Express). "I mean, that was near-perfect tennis. And if she plays like that [against Anisimova], this could be over very quickly."
Certainly, Anisimova had given reason to believe she could mount a significant challenge after her semi-final triumph over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. After all, logic usually dictates a lower seed would equal a lesser task, but not in the case of Swiatek, who had her trophy taken away after Saturday's big win.
However, McEnroe took particular umbrage to the idea that his compatriot would be so easily dismissed. And he interrupted Balding mid-speech before shooting down the notion.
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"Totally different matchup. Completely different," he interjected. "That ain't gonna happen. If that happens, I'll eat one of those pastas!"
McEnroe shot down Balding's suggestion that Swiatek could repeat the dominance she displayed against Belinda Bencic
(Image: Getty )
The meal in question is Swiatek's unique indulgence of choice at Wimbledon: a bowl of pasta with strawberries. The five-time Grand Slam winner, who received some kind words from Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales after her win, disclosed her guilty pleasure earlier in the competition, urging viewers to taste it before passing judgement.
Strawberries are part and parcel of Wimbledon tradition. But many a fan turned their nose up in disgust after hearing about the sweet-and-savoury concoction.
Balding was eager to witness McEnroe consume the dubious dish, responding with enthusiasm: "The pasta with strawberry and yoghurt awaits!" As it turns out, it seems McEnroe will have to accompany his meal with a generous helping of humble pie.
Indeed, Swiatek secured victory in the final even more convincingly than her semi-final sweep over Bencic. Anisimova's crushing defeat signalled the first double-bagel finale at Wimbledon since 1911.
The American now faces pressure to serve his forfeit of eating pasta and strawberries
(Image: Getty )
Such a rare result emphasised how lopsided the final had been. Commentators even observed in real time Anisimova being stunned after reaching her first Grand Slam final and struggling to hit top gear as a result.
Her performance swung drastically from her previous triumph against Sabalenka, where she perhaps exhausted her energy supplies. While five-time major winner Swiatek is seasoned in Grand Slams, there was a sense Anisimova had peaked in the semis.
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A meagre consolation from her lacklustre showing is the prospect of McEnroe possibly having to concede he was wrong. As a result, Swiatek may not be alone in savouring some post-Wimbledon pasta and strawberries.
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