BBC stars' true feelings on John McEnroe as Wimbledon and tennis icon told to retire

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BBC stars' true feelings on John McEnroe as Wimbledon and tennis icon told to retire
John McEnroe has been the voice of Wimbledon for many years and has become a household name in British sports television - but the American has also been at the centre of a number of controversies
John McEnroe is a divisive figure in the broadcasting world
(Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport, CameraSport via Getty Images )
For many fans, Wimbledon's coverage on the BBC wouldn't be quite the same without the distinctive and knowledgeable commentary of John McEnroe.
The US star has become a fixture in living rooms across the UK during the tournament's most thrilling matches on Centre Court. Since taking up broadcasting responsibilities at the All England Club in the early 2000s, the American legend has become as much a part of Wimbledon as the carefully mowed grass itself.
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The former world No. 1, now aged 66, dominated the men's tennis scene in the 1980s, clinching three Wimbledon titles and four US Open championships. Known as 'Superbrat' during his playing days, McEnroe hung up his racket in 1992 and has since provided expert analysis on the sport he once ruled.
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Despite being one of the BBC's highest-paid commentators, McEnroe's forthright style has split opinion. His candid commentary and unparalleled expertise have earned him acclaim, but he has also faced criticism for what some perceive as "disrespect" towards certain players.
Nevertheless, those who have worked alongside McEnroe speak highly of his commitment to his role as an analyst. Former BBC host Sue Barker recently lauded her ex-colleague in her 2024 memoir, Wimbledon: A Personal History.
"Mac is the BBC's highest-paid employee pro rata, and with good reason. The public love him. He was great to work with, always up for fun," she wrote.
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Sue Barker (L) was full of praise for McEnroe
(Image: Getty )
Another of McEnroe's peers at the BBC, commentator Andrew Castle, concurred with Barker's sentiments. "John is a wonderfully, funny and well-weather guy," he told Globusbet. "I can tell you this, when he is into a match and is concentrating and is engaged whilst enjoying it, there is no one to match. It's a thrill to sit there and listen to what he has to say."
Even Pat Cash, the Australian icon and one-time adversary on the circuit, paid homage to McEnroe – although the Wimbledon champion of 1987 couldn't help but aim a jibe at the American's commentary prowess, reports the Express.
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In their encounter at Wimbledon in 2024, McEnroe said: "Cashy, it's great to see you in person, I've watched you on TV, but it is great to see you guys." In response, Cash jested, "Likewise, I've watched you on TV... until I can get to the off button."
Dave Gordon, the ex-executive editor of BBC Sport and previously at the helm of Wimbledon broadcasts, once told The Daily Telegraph that McEnroe had single-handedly dragged the corporation's coverage of SW19 "kicking and screaming into the 21st century."
McEnroe has sparked controversy from the commentary booth over the years
(Image: Getty )
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In an article for the BBC in 2007, Clive James lauded McEnroe's ability to enchant audiences, stating that he's "so interesting" behind the microphone that the presence of an "accompanied by an actual match" is almost superfluous.
He went further to crown McEnroe as the "supreme male commentator" at Wimbledon and even described him as a "philosopher". McEnroe has faced backlash of late however.
Some tennis fans have criticised him for mispronouncing players' names and seemingly lacking his usual depth of knowledge during tournaments. Whilst juggling duties for both the BBC and ESPN, a few American viewers expressed disappointment with his commentary at this year's event.
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On social media, one frustrated viewer said: "I see John McEnroe is at it again. If ESPN won't retire him, can we at least compromise and keep him off broadcasts until the semif-inals where he'll actually know the players?".
Another voiced their concern, saying: "Why does John McEnroe have so little respect for other, 'lesser' players that he does not bother learning how to pronounce their names?".
Pat Cash once had a light jibe at McEnroe's expense
(Image: Getty )
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Moreover, McEnroe has had his fair share of on-air disagreements with BBC Wimbledon host Clare Balding, most notably a heated debate about Novak Djokovic in 2024. Formerly, a controversial comment regarding "swingers" landed him in trouble, and a brutal remark about Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva this year have drawn further ire from co-commentators and viewers.
A minor clash with BBC's Simon Reed also occurred over remarks made about British star Jack Draper. Additionally, McEnroe's salary has prompted discussions, as he remains amongst the BBC's highest-paid commentators for his two-week role at the Championships.
The BBC's salary report from the previous year disclosed that John McEnroe's earnings ranged between £195,000 and £199,000 for the 2023/24 period, indicating a modest decrease from his earlier income of £205,000. Nevertheless, McEnroe's daily remuneration during Wimbledon is believed to be around £14,000.
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A source from within the BBC divulged to The Times in 2023 the reasons behind the American tennis legend's lucrative fee, stating: "He is one of the most popular and respected pundits in tennis," and adding: "He provides a unique perspective to our coverage."