Serena Williams’ Coach Slams John McEnroe Over ‘Inappropriate’ Jannik Sinner-Carlos Alcaraz Comment After Alexander Zverev’s US Open Win

Carlos Alcaraz skipped the French Open and Wimbledon due to his wrist injury, while Jannik Sinner skipped the recently concluded US Open due to his knee injury. Sinner competed in Paris and suffered a physical collapse in the second round, before eventually losing the match. Alcaraz played in New York and lost to Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals.

Due to Alcaraz and Sinner’s absence and defeats, Alexander Zverev first ended his Grand Slam title drought at the French Open with a five-set victory over Flavio Cobolli, and upset home favorite Shelton in the recently concluded US Open. Right after Zverev won the last point of his match against the American ace, John McEnroe, sitting behind ESPN’s microphone, said, “Get healthy Carlos and Jannik“.

As expected, he invited backlash for his comments, with some saying McEnroe should retire from his job as a commentator because he was “unprofessional”. Now Serena Williams‘ former coach, Rennae Stubbs, has given her verdict on McEnroe’s remarks.

I don’t know if you heard John McEnroe’s last words on the ESPN coverage. He says, ‘Come back, Carlos and Jannik, please’. I was like, bro, that was a little inappropriate. That’s the () you say in your head, not on a mic.

Rennae Stubbs said on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast

Also earlier this tournament, McEnroe found himself on the receiving end of criticism when he said, “You’ll be playing your second round on Court 21,” on-air after Mariano Navone shocked an ailing Novak Djokovic in the first round on the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The Argentine ace next stunned Matteo Berrettini on Court 12, then lost to compatriot Tomas Martin Etcheverry on Court 11. There’s no Court 21 at Flushing Meadows.

Back to Zverev, many believe he wouldn’t have won the French Open as well as the US Open if both Alcaraz and Sinner had been in the draws. Also, when Sascha was asked whether he considered himself the best player because he will be finishing the season with more Majors than him, Zverev said Sinner is ahead of the rest of the field if everyone is healthy.

Zverev has a chance to dethrone Sinner from the top of the rankings as he is only 1810 points behind the Italian ace. The five-time Grand Slam champion reclaimed his No.1 ranking after defeating Alcaraz in the Monte Carlo final.

Patrick Mouratoglou says Carlos Alcaraz’s comments about his schedule worry him

During the US Open, Carlos Alcaraz criticized the 11-month calendar and revealed that he has planned to skip tournaments in the future and take a lengthy break in order to avoid possible injury issues. His comments have raised many eyebrows, with Serena Williams’ former coach Patrick Mouratoglou urging him to play a full schedule so that he arrives well prepared for Majors.

There are moments when he doesn’t feel like it, I understand that, and it’s important that he addresses it, because Carlos is Carlos when he’s inspired. Inspired, he’s probably the best player in the world, and that excitement has to stay alive all season. But he also needs matches. To keep developing his tennis and to arrive physically ready at a Grand Slam, which he could not do here.

Patrick Mouratoglou wrote on LinkedIn

The World No.3 has so far competed in five tournaments this season. After winning the Australian Open by beating Novak Djokovic and the Qatar Open by beating Arthur Fils, the seven-time Grand Slam champion lost to Jannik Sinner in the Monte Carlo final.

Alcaraz then suffered that wrist injury in Barcelona and returned to the tour at the US Open. He will next be seen in action at the Laver Cup next week.

Also read: Juan Carlos Ferrero Announces Return to Coaching in 2027 After Carlos Alcaraz Split