The Australian Open 2025 delivered yet another thriller as World No. 1 Jannik Sinner overcame Australian wildcard Tristan Schoolkate in a hard-fought four-set encounter. The match was a rollercoaster, with Schoolkate shocking everyone by taking the first set and snapping Sinner’s impressive 29-set winning streak. After dropping the first set 4-6, the defending champion stormed back, taking the next three sets 6-4, 6-1, and 6-3 to secure his spot in the third round. But his on-court interview with John McEnroe after the match is what drew fan’s reactions.
John McEnroe stepped onto the court to interview the Italian player. However, it quickly turned into an awkward exchange.
The American veteran opened by asking, “Though you’re both 23 years old did you know Tristan from the Juniors? Were you familiar with his game or have you seen him play much before?”
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Sinner replied matter-of-factly, “No, because I haven’t played so many Juniors.” Realizing his misstep, McEnroe quipped, “Whoops.” In another attempt, McEnroe brought up Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev, stating they had also lost sets to “unknowns.” The comment set an uncomfortable tone, further dampening the interview.
John McEnroe then shifted to a comparison of their mental approaches, saying, “I’m pretty emotional, generally when I have been in Italy, Italians express themselves. You were able to control yourself so well, I wanted to know how you do it?”
Sinner then laughed as he mocked McEnroe in response, saying, “We can say we are a bit different, me and you, but it shows that everyone is different, everyone has his own mentality. I have mine, I have to say I am quite happy with my one.”
McEnroe joked back, “What are you saying?!” as the crowd burst into laughter. Sinner, decided to end the interview and said with a smile, “I think we stop here.” McEnroe closed the interaction by urging the audience to give Sinner a big cheer.
The awkward exchange sparked a flurry of reactions online, with fans expressing their frustration at McEnroe’s questions.
Fans react to John McEnroe’s awkward interview skills
Remember during the French Open women’s final, John McEnroe made a comment about then-world No. 1 Iga Swiatek? The controversy arose when co-commentator Mary Carillo mentioned a Lancôme endorsement deal that Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion from Poland, had reportedly declined. And “Do you think if they offer her enough, Lancôme, then maybe she would consider throwing on a little makeup for the right price?” McEnroe responded with a chuckle.
“McEnroe is unbearable.”
“Why is this guy still on TV?”
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Three-time Wimbledon champion John McEnroe has trouble pronouncing English. He has been struggling to pronounce Alexander ‘Sascha’ Zverev and Jasmine Polini’s name correctly. While ‘Zverev’ is relatively straightforward – two syllables, ‘Zve-rev’ – McEnroe consistently inserts an extra ‘e’ between the ‘Z’ and the ‘v’. This, coupled with his inaccurate predictions, frequent interruptions during play, and occasional on-air gaffes, didn’t been sitting well with many NBC viewers last year.
“McEnroe shows a lack of some basic stuff on tour but still he’s an expert on Eurosport. My God.”
During the 2024 US Open, when Jannik Sinner’s doping allegations were the top news, McEnroe appeared clueless about the issue. While Sinner was playing the semi-final, the commentators in the commentary box were talking about the substance(Clostebol) found, the former American player admitted, “I don’t know what that is.”
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“McEnroe is a dinosaur. He is insufferable,”
“Don’t let him do any more on-court interviews.”
Despite the awkward interview, Jannik Sinner’s performance on the court remains the highlight. The defending champion progresses to the third round, where he will face American Marcos Giron on Saturday, January 18. Can Sinner maintain his form and continue his march toward a second Australian Open title?