Honestly, it’s getting harder to separate the "SuperBrat" of the 80s from the man behind the microphone today. For decades, John McEnroe has been the voice of American tennis. He’s loud, he’s unfiltered, and he’s usually the smartest guy in the room when it comes to X’s and O’s. But lately, the John McEnroe US Open criticism has shifted from his typical "cranky old man" shtick into something that's genuinely rubbing fans and staff the wrong way.
The 2025 tournament at Flushing Meadows was supposed to be a celebration of a new era. We had Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner duking it out in a final that felt like a changing of the guard. Instead, a lot of the post-match chatter wasn't about Alcaraz’s forehand; it was about McEnroe’s mouth.
The "Grandma" Comment That Went Too Far
It happened during a high-stakes quarterfinal between Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz. Most people were locked into the match, but McEnroe’s focus drifted. A senior staff member, later identified as Susan Perkins, walked onto the court to deliver re-strung rackets. It’s a standard, thankless job.
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McEnroe, perhaps trying to be funny in that dry way he does, quipped, "Thanks, grandma," and added it was a "good time for her age group."
Social media absolutely nuked him for it.
Perkins didn't take it lying down either. In a pretty raw interview with Sportskeeda, she mentioned how those comments felt "dismissive and hurtful." Imagine taking your two-week vacation from your actual job as a therapist just to help out at the US Open—something she’s done for 20 years—only to be mocked on a global broadcast for your age. She even admitted she felt embarrassed to go back on the court, constantly looking up at the ESPN booth, wondering if another jab was coming.
Fans are Reaching a Breaking Point
It isn't just the staff. The audience is getting restless. During the Alcaraz-Sinner final, social media was basically a wall of complaints about the commentary.
"Wish McEnroe would shut up with his chatter and musings and let us watch the tennis game," one fan posted.
People are starting to find his constant interruptions during active points "irritating af," as one viral tweet put it. There’s a growing sense that the "color" in his color commentary is starting to bleed over the actual lines of the sport. He’s been with ESPN since the 90s, but the 2025 season felt like a tipping point where his bias and his tendency to talk over the action finally hit a wall with the modern viewer.
Why Does He Still Have the Mic?
- Authenticity: He says what everyone else is thinking but is too scared to say.
- Legacy: He’s a seven-time Grand Slam champion. You can't buy that kind of insight.
- Ratings: Love him or hate him, people talk about him.
But that legacy is a double-edged sword. When he questions the accuracy of Electronic Line Calling (ELC)—the tech that replaced his old enemies, the line judges—he sounds more like a guy mourning the loss of a good argument than a professional analyst. Over at Wimbledon 2025, Andrew Castle actually had to shut him down on-air for being too cynical about the technology.
Comparing the Criticism: Then vs. Now
McEnroe’s career has always been defined by friction. Back in 1979, his match against Ilie Nastase was a near-riot. In 1981, he was calling umpires the "pits of the world." But back then, the anger was directed at the "system" or the officials.
Now, the John McEnroe US Open criticism is about how he treats the "little people"—the ball crews, the racket stringers, and the fans who just want to hear the sound of the ball hitting the strings without a story about 1984 interrupted every thirty seconds.
The Double Standard Defense
To be fair, McEnroe isn't always the villain. He’s been one of the few big voices to consistently call out the double standards in tennis. He famously defended Serena Williams during her 2018 US Open meltdown, arguing that men get away with way worse. He’s also been vocal about the "absurd" scheduling that forces players to finish matches at 3:00 AM.
He pushed for the Australian Open to add an extra day to the schedule to avoid those marathon late-night finishes, and he actually won that battle. So, the guy still has enough pull—and enough heart for the players—to make a difference.
What’s Next for Johnny Mac?
Is he going to be "canceled"? Probably not. He’s John McEnroe. He’s part of the furniture at Flushing Meadows. However, the 2025 season showed that the grace period for his "SuperBrat" persona is shrinking. Fans in 2026 are looking for a balance between expert analysis and respect for the modern game’s environment.
If you’re watching the next major, keep an ear out. The backlash usually starts when the commentator becomes a bigger story than the players. We’re definitely in that zone right now.
Actionable Insights for Tennis Fans:
- Mute the Noise: If the commentary is ruining the flow, many streaming apps now offer "Ambient Sound" modes that give you just the court noise.
- Follow Alternative Streams: Check out smaller digital platforms or international broadcasts (like the world feed) if you find the main US booth too personality-driven.
- Voice Your Feedback: Networks like ESPN actually track social sentiment during live broadcasts. If enough people complain about talking during points, producers eventually pass that note down to the booth.
The game is changing. The technology is changing. Maybe it's time the commentary booth catches up.