Did anyone else find McEnroe's commentating simply ATROCIOUS during the all-Williams match?

Question

I hate to be picky but last night it took everything within me not to want to punch this guy out.

Okay this match was the biggest match of the tournament thus far, and it has been hyped up about since the draw came out. Yet while watching the match, McEnroe basically spoke about everything possible other than this great match that they sisters give us.

I will admit the match started slowly and I thought we were going to be in for yet another lackluster all-Williams match-up, but during the early stages McEnroe spent the first couple games talking over and over about Dementieva and Jankovic, challenging everything that Tracey Austin had to say along the way. Then he spent another half-an-hour talking about his "Apprentice" offer from Donald Trump and "Dancing with the Stars". Then throughout the entire match, he kept going on and on and on about the Nadal/Fish match that was going to be played this late. I know people like Nadal but seriously, did anyone really thought Rafa would lose to Fish of all people? The way John kept rating up this match, you swore that he thought the Fish/Nadal match was way more important than the WOMEN'S Quarterfinal between the sisters.

I mean was this not one the greatest all-Williams matches we have ever seen? Everything was so darn close between the sisters and it was very tense throughout the entire match, and yet this idiot spoke about everything other than the great tennis the sisters were putting on.

As a tennis fan I was very hurt and offended that one of the greatest women's matches ever, had to be reduced to this kind of stupid, male chauvinistic banter. Does anyone agree?

Answer 1

I'm SO glad someone else noticed this too! I was FURIOUS with the commentary! It was such an important match and I had been waiting for this quarter-final since the draw came out. Commentary's really important in a match, and I hated the commentary last night. What in the world..? A time came when I actually turned my tv off to mute. It was VERY annoying. McEnroe ruined the best womens singles match for me. :(

In the start you said you wanted to punch him out right? PLEASE GO FOR IT! He was an awesome player and everything but how dare he.. The US Open comes ONCE A YEAR!

Answer 2

I agree, but I don't know why you waste your time complaining about something that'll probably never change. Women's tennis does not get the same respect as men's because the quality is not as great, I know, it's messed up, but it's just one of those things that sucks but it's just the way it is. Yeah, it amazes me that no one has ever punched out McEnroe, but he is a character and for better or worse, characters draw more audiences than "proper" people. h**l, every now and then even Jim Courier is going along with the modern trend of controversy as a good thing, he suggested fans go look up the Rome feud between Del Potro and Murray on Youtube for some awesome amusement! I don't condone a lot of what McEnroe says and does, and there are a lot of traits he has that aren't very admirable, but I still find him pretty hilarious. I also respect him for his sometimes brutal honesty, I find his frankness rather refreshing towards the "proper" status quo of the tennis world, and you have to respect him for his dedication to the sport. McEnroe isn't gonna change and he's not gonna go away, my advice, try to find him amusing if you can, laugh at his quips and antics and you should feel better.

Answer 3

Yes, you are right.  McEnroe's commentary has been off this year in general, but he didn't play up the Williams match as much as he should have.  I find Courier to be more annoying but for different reasons.

McEnroe has actually been a pretty big advocate of women's tennis.  It's easy to argue that he's male chauvenistic based upon some of his commentary, but he has been actively involved in promoting women's tennis, and equal pay for women.  So, I'll give him a pass on the alledged sexism, but can anknowledge why someone could make that argument.........

Answer 4

I couldn't agree with you more I can't understand what people see in the guy. Mcenroe is old and senile and probably doesn't know where he's at half the time. Dude is so out of touch he still talks about people who's been retired for more than 20 years. I know older folks love that and love Mcenroe period but it's 2008 can we get some fresh young voices in the commentator booth? It's time for a change and it would be nice to get some professional commentators up in the booth not former players

Answer 5

stfu

Answer 6

yeah I couldn't believe when he made the comment when he flat out said he'd rather Serena win the match now (2nd set) so that the men won't have to play so late. As a former tennis pro you would think he would want to see a great match. That was a ridiculous comment.

It's not like they couldn't reschedule the match if needed- it's been done before because of rain.

Giving the players some sleep would also be a justified reason

Answer 7

I noticed the same thing before I had to leave for a meeting. Generally, I enjoy McEnroe's commentating better than any of the others - I mute them out - but, last night I was kinda glad I had to leave to get away from that.

Answer 8

Not just McEnroe.  All of them are pretty much like that every year at the US Open.  The thing that irritates me is they discuss useless information non stop DURING the point.  That is so freaking annoying.  I wish they would all shut up during the point so I can enjoy the matches :p