John McEnroe has urged Wimbledon to prohibit all finalists from wearing headphones as they walk onto Centre Court. The tennis legend made the appeal to All England Club officials ahead of last year's women's singles final.
McEnroe's Criticism of Headphone Use
McEnroe was on punditry duty for the BBC's coverage before moving to the commentary box and was left unimpressed with Amanda Anisimova and Iga Swiatek. The duo were competing in their maiden Wimbledon final and were still taking in their surroundings when the SW19 legend noticed something. McEnroe observed that both players were listening to their headphones before stepping out onto the court. This did not go down well with the Wimbledon legend, who demanded a complete ban on headphones before finals begin.
He said: "They shouldn't allow them to wear airpods or headphones because you have got to get them to enjoy this instead of playing some music. Come on now ladies!"
Reaction and Backlash
These remarks were subsequently ridiculed by presenter Clare Balding and Tracy Austin, as they referenced McEnroe's own ban from Wimbledon. The American was denied honorary membership to the All England Club after boycotting the Champion's Dinner to celebrate with a rock band instead. He chose to snub the annual dinner, held at the iconic Savoy hotel, following his 1981 triumph, and was subsequently denied membership. He later recalled: "A week later they called my parents to tell me I was not going to be granted membership at the club. Big f***ing deal."
However, the tables have turned on McEnroe this time around, as BBC viewers slammed the former tennis star over his commentary during the tournament. During the quarter-final clash between Jan-Lennard Struff and Jannik Sinner, fans grew increasingly exasperated with the American's tendency to veer off topic throughout the broadcast.
Viewer Criticism of McEnroe's Commentary
One viewer said: "@Wimbledon McEnroe on again I've switched it off," while another added: "God does McEnroe ever stop talking about irrelevant nonsense?" A third fumed: "@Wimbledon can you shut John McEnroe & Tracy Austin up please? Their voices are spoiling your coverage," while another noted: "McEnroe really p***ing me off with his commentary."
The Wimbledon men's singles final takes place today, with live coverage on the BBC getting underway from 11am.
