John McEnroe has revealed that he is forced into “speaking less” while featuring on the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage. The tennis legend turned to commentating following his illustrious career as a professional, which saw him win seven singles Grand Slam titles.
McEnroe, whose career in punditry has now outlasted his time as a player, is a much-loved part of the BBC’s yearly Wimbledon coverage and is a regular on the commentary team. However, the American believes that the lack of adverts on the station means commentators like himself have had to change the way they operate.
Speaking ahead of the upcoming French Open, McEnroe explained: “For the most part, I don’t change [my style], I just try to be myself. I understand the game has changed quite a bit in the last 30 years. The BBC for example, there are no commercials there, generally you speak less during the games.
“You have this minute and a half, two minutes in between which you don’t have for say with American TV… You sort of get it in when you can [with American TV] because you know when the point ends you’ve got to get in before the commercial.”
McEnroe has become somewhat of a cultural icon altogether since hanging up his racket. On life after tennis, the 66-year-old explained: “If you told me at 25 I was going to be a commentator, I’d have said ‘no way that’s b******t’.
“In a way, I’ve pretty much done everything I said I wouldn’t do. But I sort of kept the door open and I realised early on with commentating, it showed people a side of my personality that they didn’t see when I was playing…
“I was able to realise that was going to be a good thing for me and a willingness to try and fail I think is important in a business like this.
“I tried a lot of different things, be that a talk show, a game show, going out in a different adventure, and then realising it was bringing me back to the sport and that was what I really wanted to be a part of.”
McEnroe is expected to feature for the BBC as part of their Wimbledon coverage this year, but first, it’s the second Grand Slam of the year from France, with the 1984 finalist part of TNT Sports’ coverage. Carlos Alcaraz enters the tournament as reigning champion and is the bookies’ favourite to win the title at Roland-Garros.
