“Djokovic has got every trick in the book. And he’s got no weaknesses. It’s an incredibly tall order to beat him in a best-of-five-set match. That’s why Djokovic can, and probably will win it again here.” John McEnroe has always held Novak Djokovic to incredibly high standards. And understandably so. But while giving credit is one thing, has the American legend taken his support a step too far? From the sound of it, fans sure think he has during his commentary for the World No. 1’s semifinal match.

McEnroe mentioned how it’s an “incredibly tall order” to beat the Serb in five sets. Granted, that’s true, but he also said that Djokovic would win his 11th Australian Open come Sunday. However, at the moment, Jannik Sinner is making getting the better of Djokovic look like light work. The young Italian remarkably took the first set 6-1, and is already a break up in the second. He’s dominated play so far. And although the Serb hasn’t been playing his best tennis, that doesn’t mean Sinner doesn’t deserve credit. However, despite the Italian’s performance, it’s not enough to please John McEnroe.

After Sinner broke Djokovic to take a 2-1 lead in the second set, a fan tweeted McEnroe’s response. They wrote, “John McEnroe is so insufferable. Guy just said Jannik Sinner hasn’t needed to do anything to get up a set and a break on Novak.” Playing Djokovic requires believing you can beat him, apart from producing the best of your game. McEnroe said so himself. However, as much as he gives credit to Djokovic, he’s had his doubts about Sinner.

In May 2023, the American said, “He is having many physical problems, which are sometimes a product of the pressure one feels due to the expectations placed on him. I don’t know if he trains too much or too little.” Having also recently alluded to the fact that the World No.4 needs to become more unpredictable despite seeing his game drastically improve, he questioned the mental fortitude of Sinner, among others.

“Novak is playing incredible tennis. The key for anyone to beat him, including Sinner, is do they, deep down in the heart of hearts, have the belief that they can beat Novak,” McEnroe told Eurosport. Although the Serb is all too familiar with being almost two sets to love down against Sinner, the World No.4 seems in a different and much better zone than at Wimbledon 2022. Given McEnroe’s liking for Djokovic and his underestimation of Sinner, fans quickly noted this bias and slammed the former tennis player.

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John McEnroe is “shameful” for not appreciating Sinner

The McEnroe brothers’ commentary during Grand Slams has almost become an every-time affair. As they sat side by side for the semifinal, one fan was grateful for Patrick’s presence after McEnroe suggested Sinner didn’t have to do anything. “Thank god his brother was there to check him.” However, not everyone felt the same about the second McEnroe brother because he, too, discredited the Italian. “I wish the McEnroe brothers would just shut up. They riding Djokovic so hard. Give Sinner his props because he is playing great tennis.”

Considering Djokovic was on the other side of the net, and John McEnroe has previously said, “Novak Djokovic is one of the most remarkable athletes you will see in any sport in every way possible. He’s one in a billion. You just have to admire him,” one fan knew there was no way Sinner would get his appreciation. “Give Sinner credit John McEnroe. We know ur not gonna give him any credit.” Many fans echoed this sentiment: “John McEnroe is a Novak super fan. He never gives anyone else credit.”

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“John McEnroe will give anything and anyone credit before he admits that @janniksin is simply outplaying Djokovic in these first two sets.” Amid this apparent Djokovic favoritism, one fan made a plea to ESPN. “If John McEnroe says Sinner hasn’t done anything to earn this score again, I’m gonna need @espn to take him out of the booth.” 

Considering Sinner is looking like the better player in every aspect, “John McEnroe really trying to discredit Sinner in this match. Shameful.” John McEnroe has always been a true Novak Djokovic supporter. While there is nothing wrong with that, being a commentator and a person who understands the game, fans believe he needs to appreciate other talents.

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