Outspoken former tennis star John McEnroe will be calling Wimbledon for ESPN starting Monday, the first time the company, across its numerous platforms, has had exclusive rights to the entire tournament. McEnroe spoke with The Post’s Brett Cyrgalis about some of the most intriguing storylines.
Q: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have won 28 of the past 29 men’s singles Grand Slam titles. Is that good for the game?
A: I think it’s good for the game, as far as the rivalry. Any one-on-one sport needs that. That [the lack of a rivalry] is what has hurt our sport for a while. It makes it more interesting and now historic as what we’ve seen at the French [Nadal’s record seventh French Open win]. Andy Murray would be the next guy that would have the next best chance.
Q: Aside from those you’ve already mentioned who, among the men, has the best chance to win?
A: I’d pick [Tomas] Berdych, [John] Isner, and [Jo-Wilfried] Tsonga as the best chance to upset those guys. I don’t know if anyone can do that; they would have to have a great day. If they’re going to beat those guys, they have to play Pete Sampras style, not get stuck in these types of rallies they’re getting stuck in. Grass is made for that type of big-shot tennis, holding serve.
Q: Federer will turn 31 on Aug. 8. When do you think he’ll stop being able to compete for Grand Slams?
A: That’s a question we’d all like to know the answer to. We’d all like to watch it play out. I’m picking him to win this year at Wimbledon. To me, Wimbledon is the best chance. He’s a lot better athlete than he’s given credit for. People are pulling for him, so he can use the crowd to his favor. He doesn’t show much on the court, and he might be losing out on something he can use.
Q: Serena Williams lost in the first round at the French while Maria Sharapova completed the career Grand Slam. What’s going on in the women’s game?
A: Basically, I would’ve thought Serena would’ve won one of the first two already. Unless I’m seriously misreading something, Serena and Maria have definitely distanced themselves. If Maria has problems with her serve, that’s going to be more of an issue because she’s not going to break [opponents’ serves] as easily on grass as on clay.
Q: Is Christina McHale, currently ranked No. 30, possibly the next big U.S. women’s player?
A: I hit with her on a handful of occasions, a month or so before the French. Each time, I’ve noticed improvement in her game. She listens well, she’s well-coached, she’s gotten in better and better shape. If she can develop more a sense of identity, she’ll already get to Top 20. But if she wants to get Top 10, she needs something that gets into the heads of her opponents.