John McEnroe Slammed for Saying ‘Get Healthy Carlos and Jannik’ On-Air Right After Alexander Zverev’s US Open Win – “Pathetic Commentary”

Alexander Zverev lost in the Wimbledon final but took home the French Open and the US Open trophies.

John McEnroe Slammed for Saying ‘Get Healthy Carlos and Jannik’ On-Air Right After Alexander Zverev’s US Open Win – “Pathetic Commentary”

In background: Alexander Zverev, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz; In cirlce: John McEnroe (Image via The Assam Tribune, The Independent, Daily Express)

Both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner skipped at least one Major each this season due to injury issues. Alcaraz, after injuring his wrist during the Barcelona Open, did not bid for the three-peat at the French Open, where the Italian suffered a physical collapse during the second round before eventually losing the match.

Alcaraz skipped Wimbledon, where the World No.1 defended his crown by denying the Channel Slam to Alexander Zverev. Then reports of Sinner dealing with a knee niggle started emerging, with the five-time Major champion himself confirming that the reports are true as he took to his social media to announce his withdrawal from the US Open, where he finished as the runner-up last year.

But the US Open marked the first tournament that Alcaraz played since the Barcelona Open. Although Alcaraz didn’t struggle much, he suffered a shock five-set defeat to eventual runner-up Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals.

Zverev didn’t let these two golden opportunities slip by. After ending his Grand Slam title drought in Paris by overcoming Flavio Cobolli, Sascha stopped Shelton from ending American men’s Grand Slam title drought in New York.

The 29-year-old didn’t even realize he won the match as after winning the last point, he returned to his position to serve again. He glanced toward his team and it was then it hit him what he had done.

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Fans slam John McEnroe for spoiling Alexander Zverev’s US Open victory

While Alexander Zverev celebrated his victory, John McEnroe, from ESPN’s commentary booth, made a controversial remark, as he said, “Get healthy Carlos and Jannik” on-air and it didn’t take much time to go viral. And many fans certainly didn’t like such comments seconds after Zverev’s win.

Alexander Zverev, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz
Alexander Zverev, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via CNN, Roland Garros)

Watch the video and check out fans’ reactions here:

Zverev will finish the season with most Grand Slam titles on the men’s tour. It’s also the first time in his career that Zverev played three Grand Slam finals in his career.

Also for the first time since Andre Agassi in 1999 that a player whose name is not Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Sinner, or Alcaraz, won multiple Grand Slam titles in a calendar year.

In spite of these two wins, Zverev doesn’t consider himself the best player in the world right now, saying that if everyone is healthy, Sinner should be considered the best. Sinner registered his 10th consecutive victory over Zverev in the Wimbledon final, also winning his sixth title of the season.

Alexander Zverev on why he failed to realize he won the US Open

As mentioned before, Zverev initially had no idea that he had won the match after winning the last point. At the press conference later, Zverev revealed that he was so much in the zone that thought he was leading 5-1 instead of 6-2.

Alexander Zverev didn't realize he won the US Open by beating Ben Shelton
Alexander Zverev didn’t realize he won the US Open by beating Ben Shelton (Image via MySA, X/The Tennis Letter)

In that moment, I was in the zone a lot. I didn’t hear noise at all. I was in this kind of tunnel where I just didn’t hear anything. Also, when the crowd is loud, it’s impossible to hear the umpire, so I didn’t hear that she said, ‘Game, set, match’. At the end of the day, I just forgot the score. I just thought it was 5-1 instead of 6-2.

Zverev played his fourth final of the season in New York. Apart from the three Majors, he played the final of the Madrid Open, losing the match to Sinner.

Before this season, the German had lost three Grand Slam finals: the 2020 US Open to Dominic Thiem, the 2024 French Open to Alcaraz, and the 2025 Australian Open to Sinner.

The North American hard-court swing has concluded after Zverev’s win. Next is the Asian swing.

Also read: Alexander Zverev Responds to Hilarious Score Confusion on Match Point After Winning the US Open