John McEnroe is one of the most recognizable voices in tennis. The American is in Paris for Max and Eurosport, which broadcast live and in full Roland Garros, the Parisian ‘Grand Slam’ that takes place from May 26 to June 9 and can be followed on Eurosport channels and streaming through Max.
McEnroe has spoken to a small group of media, among which was MARCA and has reflected on the presence of Rafael Nadal and his chances of success.
‘Big Mac’ is disappointed that Nadal has to cross in the first round with Alexander Zverev.
“It doesn’t make sense for someone who has won 14 times not to be seeded. It’s the way the tournament has always acted. It’s crazy to me. It’s the most interesting first round of a major that I can remember and the toughest of the Open Era for someone like Nadal,” McEnroe says.
On how and when the 22-time major champion should hang up his racquet, he said: “He has to do whatever he wants. He loves to compete and if he loses to Zverev it doesn’t mean that all his records at Roland Garros will be lost. Maybe it’s time for him to be a father and it’s time for everyone.
“Maybe I’m wrong and he’ll be able to do something special here. It’s a question mark as to how his body will recover as the rounds go by. If he wins on the one hand it will be a surprise and on the other not. If you asked me ten years ago how many times he was going to take the trophy I would have said four or five. People like him, Novak or Roger are Superman.
McEnroe believes that Zverev, given the physical doubts of Novak Djokovic, Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner, “has real options to win in Paris if he focuses solely and exclusively on tennis and not on other things off the court. I think the 2020 US Open should have been his. Sascha’s serve is working better than ever”.
The American tennis legend also speaks of the irregularity shown by Djokovic throughout the season and that has led him to not win a single trophy or set foot in a final.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with him, if it’s because of a physical issue, motivation, age, distractions outside of tennis…. Right now he seems more human. It’s the most open Roland Garros in the last 20 years.”
McEnroe refers to the fact that Djokovic has dispensed with the services of Goran Ivanisevic and is now without a coach.
“No one can teach him to play tennis, I think he needs someone who knows how to motivate him,” he said.