How Chris Evert, John McEnroe & Nick Kyrgios all came under fire from fans on Wimbledon 2024 women's final day for commentary stint
It was an eventful day at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships on Day 13, as the women's singles draw finally came to an end. It was Barbora Krejcikova who remained the last woman standing at SW19, defeating Jasmine Paolini in three sets to take home her second Grand Slam title and first at the tournament.
However, the biggest story of the day did not turn out to be Krejcikova's achievement. Instead, it went to Chris Evert, John McEnroe and Nick Kyrgios, whose stints in commentary drove fans on social media angry.
First, there was Evert, whose constant mispronunciation of Paolini's name on ESPN led to a wide variety of criticism from disgruntled viewers. Fans were shocked by how wrong the American was, with many even complaining that they had to put the TV on mute to escape the 18-time Grand Slam champion's commentary.
"Names Chrissie has called Paolini today: Payoli Pow-ah-lina Paylina Palioni Paylona Names Chrissie has not called Paolini today: Paolini," one dejected fan wrote.
Then there was John McEnroe, who has had a turbulent relationship with fans since he started commentating for ESPN. On Saturday, the American icon was called out by fans for his shocking lack of insight, leaving fans wondering what business he had broadcasting women's matches in the first place.
"McEnroe on commentary has been so ignorant, cheap and misogynistic- its insane," one fan said.
"Insightful commentary from McEnroe: Medvedev is really tall, and Paolini is really small," another said.
Finally, there was Nick Kyrgios. While the Aussie did not exactly bore fans with his commentary, his history of belittlng women's tennis and then commentating on one of the biggest matches in women's tennis history did strike many as odd.
For instance, Kyrgios had sarcastically mocked the depth in the WTA Tour earlier this year, and has even hinted that women and men should not be receiving equal prize money.
"ESPN going to the studio to have us listen to Nick Kyrgios comment on women's tennis as if he doesn't belittle it online every chance he gets is so infuriating," one fan wrote.
"Disgusting that ESPN & Tennis Channel both employ him. horrible!" another fan wrote.
Chris Evert, John McEnore and Nick Kyrgios are all finalists at Wimbledon
Chris Evert has a rich history at Wimbledon, having won the title thrice at SW19. The American took home the trophy in 1974, 1976 and then for the last time in 1981.
John McEnroe is also a three-time title winner at Wimbledon. The American won the 1981, 1983 and 1984 editions in singles, and won the men's doubles title five times.
Nick Kyrgios, on the other hand, reached the final of the 2022 edition, his first time at a Grand Slam final. Unfortunately, he ended up losing to Novak Djokovic.