'Disrespectful' John McEnroe slammed for comments about US Open star who beat Novak Djokovic

Sahil KurupMon, August 31, 2026 at 3:17 PM UTC

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John McEnroe was slammed for his comments at the US Open -Credit:Getty

John McEnroe drew sharp criticism from tennis fans following Mariano Navone's stunning first-round upset of Novak Djokovic at the U.S. Open, after comments the broadcaster made appeared to diminish the significance of the Argentine's biggest career win.

Navone pulled off the improbable 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory over Djokovic in Arthur Ashe Stadium, handing the 24-time Grand Slam champion his first opening-round loss at a major since 2006, a run that had spanned 20 U.S. Open appearances.

The match stretched four hours and 36 minutes, Djokovic's longest first-round match ever at a major, as the Serbian battled severe physical distress throughout, including vomiting and cramping.

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"I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me," Djokovic said afterward. "It's something that I've been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year, vomiting, throwing up, serious issue there. And then my whole body starts to collapse, basically, cramping and pain."

Despite Navone's clear achievement, McEnroe's on-air remarks following the match drew backlash.

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"You'll be playing your second round on Court 21. We wish you the best," McEnroe said on ESPN, referencing the relatively minor court assignment for Navone's upcoming match. "And he is going to have to try to play with that effort and intensity, but enjoy the moment, young man."

Tennis fans quickly criticized the comment as dismissive of Navone's accomplishment.

"McEnroe's entire attitude towards Navone was despicable from the jump," one fan wrote on social media. Another added, "McEnroe was disrespectful to Navone from the beginning. In the first set, he says how great an opponent Navone is for Djokovic because he won't challenge him at all. Dude is a tired act."

A third commenter went further, writing, "McEnroe proves again and again why it's time for him to go. Comments like this… he's just an a--hole."

Novak Djokovic was struggling physically during the Sunday evening match. -Credit:2026 Getty Images

Navone, ranked No. 49 and playing in just his second career U.S. Open, expressed pure elation after the win regardless of the commentary surrounding it. "It means a lot," Navone said. "It is a dream come true, certainly. This is amazing on the biggest stage. It's amazing with this crowd, in Arthur Ashe, it is unbelievable."

The result marks a significant setback for Djokovic, who is chasing a record 25th Grand Slam singles title to surpass Margaret Court's all-time mark.

The loss follows a similarly early exit at Cincinnati, raising fresh questions about the 39-year-old's ability to continue competing deep into majors as his body increasingly struggles to hold up physically.

Djokovic acknowledged the toll after the match, saying, "The back just gave up in the end, and the shoulder, and I couldn't close it out."

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Source: “AOL Sports”