Nick Kyrgios calls out John McEnroe on BBC at Wimbledon as Aussie ignored by colleague
Nick Kyrgios called out John McEnroe live on the BBC's Wimbledon broadcast.
Nick Kyrgios jokingly accused BBC colleague John McEnroe of ignoring his text messages during Wimbledon. The Aussie has been providing commentary for the Beeb during this summer’s Championships, often sitting alongside tennis icon McEnroe.
Kyrgios has struggled with injuries for the last 18 months. However, he is now battling back and has been training away from his BBC duties.
The 29-year-old has been practising with Wimbledon semi-finalist Novak Djokovic on the outside courts. But he has now hinted that he reached out to McEnroe for a hitting session - but had his approach ignored.
Asked if he plans to continue playing or whether he feels more comfortable doing commentary, Kyrgios said: “I want to do both moving forward. I love being here and watching it and analysing it.
"But I do miss being out there. You know the rush it brings and I want to give the fans something to remember - whether it’s good or bad.”
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Asked about his fitness, the Aussie added: I’m good. I had a two-hour practice this morning. I’ve been hitting with Novak every other day. It’s good and everything is going well.
“I’ve been trying to get Johnny Mac to get out there but he won’t even reply to my messages!”
McEnroe quipped: “I don’t believe that for a second! You ready at four tomorrow?”
Kyrgios responded: “Yeah, that’s possible.”
Hiring the 2022 Wimbledon finalist was a major coup for the BBC. Kyrgios’s outspoken style is box-office viewing for tennis fans.
He was speaking during Djokovic’s semi-final clash with Lorenzo Musetti. The pair were playing for a chance to meet reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s final.
Alcaraz defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-7 6-3 6-4 6-4 earlier on Friday. The Spaniard overcame a first-set defeat to beat the Russian, whose spat with the umpire earned him a formal warning for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Medvedev appeared to shout “F*** you” at Eva Asderaki-Moore.
Alcaraz reflected on his triumph: "[I am] trying to do different things. I tried not to play long rallies, tried to hit drop shots and go to the net as much as I can. Try not to play his game.
“There were a few points with really long rallies but I tried to play my own game and not pass 10 or 12 shots in the points. It was difficult to break the wall."
