Tennis icons who came under fire for controversial commentary during US Open 2024 ft. Chris Evert, Nick Kyrgios
Chris Evert, Nick Kyrgios and John McEnroe are commentating at the 2024 US Open. The quarterfinals for both men and women are set to begin, with players looking to lift the coveted trophy on Sunday, 8 September.
Considering the increased coverage, commentary at the Grand Slams has also started coming under increased scrutiny. Commentators often draw attention at tournaments, sometimes not for the right reasons.
Let's look at three tennis icons who have found themselves taking heat for their comments at this year's US Open.
#1 Nick Kyrgios' remarks regarding Jannik Sinner
Nick Kyrgios was commentating for ESPN during Ben Shelton's match against Dominic Theim in the opening round at the 2024 US Open. Shelton won the match, and during the play Kyrgios said he wouldn't be as "hospitable" to Sinner as he was before.
"I’m not going to be as hospitable to him as I was before when I’m in the locker room," Kyrgios said on commentary.
The remark came after Kyrgios' opposition to the ITIA's decision to clear Sinner following the Italian's positive test for the banned substance Clostebol at the 2024 Indian Wells tournament.
Sinner had explained that the substance entered his body through a spray given to him by his physio, and the ITIA found it to be non-performance enhancing. However, the World No. 1 was stripped of his ranking points and the prize money earned from his Indian Wells run.
Fans on social media later criticized Kyrgios for his remarks. One fan shared a clip from the duo's match at the 2022 Miami Open.
In the clip, Kyrgios can be seen in a heated argument with the chair umpire over crowd control. He then proceeded to smash his racquet. Kyrgios was handed a rare game penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct at the time.
#2 John McEnroe on continuously questioning ITIA's ruling on Jannik Sinner
The controversy surrounding the ITIA's ruling on Jannik Sinner was largely about the governing body's decision to keep the case under wraps. No word got out about it from the time Sinner tested positive at Indian Wells in March to the announcement of the ITIA's ruling last month.
Some fans and figures from the tennis world questioned the speed and the privacy that was extended to Sinner by the organization, especially compared to how other players were treated in the past - including Simona Halep and Dayana Yastremska.
John McEnroe weighed in on the controversy and commented that the events of the doping saga would continue to be connected with the Italian even though the case was over.
Fans on social media disagreed with his view, with some opining that McEnroe was biased in favor of Sinner's rivals Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.
"We know by now John McEnroe is a big supporter of both @carlosalcaraz and @DjokerNole but to be there as announcer for the @janniksin game and continuously questioning the ruling for the doping scandal, is not a good look," one fan commented.
#3 Chris Evert on Naomi Osaka's look, comparing Karolina Muchova to male players, and showering praise on Coco Gauff
Naomi Osaka faced Karolina Muchova in her second-round match at the 2024 US Open. Chris Evert's comments on Osaka's appearance during this match did not sit well with several fans, and some accused her of racism.
"I like the dress… it suits her, it suits the Japanese culture" said Evert.
Evert also drew the ire of fans for her comments on Muchova after the latter defeated Naomi Osaka in the second round of the 2024 US Open. Evert compared the Czech to male players to highlight her serves and volleys.
"She plays like a guy. She wants to play like a guy. The guys have bigger serves than the women, they have better volleys for the most part, they move a little bit better," Evert said.
The comments did not sit well with fans, who criticized Chris Evert for perceived gender bias. Ons Jabeur also shared her thoughts on Evert's comment on social media.
"Muchova is an amazing talented player . She doesn’t have to be a guy to have great serve , volley or movement. Can we please stop stereotyping based on gender?" wrote Jabeur on X.
Nick Kyrgios re-shared Jabeur's post and wrote:
"I agree! SHE WAS AMAZING. why does it matter, her volleys were amazing, she was unreal. ONS teach me your slice pls lol, mine hits the fence," Kyrgios wrote.
Chris Evert also came under fire for her apparent bias toward Coco Gauff in her commentary. Gauff, the defending champion, locked horns with Emma Navarro in the fourth round of the 2024 US Open, where she lost 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
While Gauff's performance was underwhelming - she made 19 double faults and 60 unforced errors - Evert praised the young American throughout the match. She later said Iga Swiatek would have an "opportunity" following Gauff's and Elena Rybakina's exits from the 2024 US Open.
While Rybakina leads the head-to-head 4-2 against Swiatek, most fans did not consider Gauff a threat to Swiatek, given the Pole's 11-1 lead in the head-to-head.
"What was even funnier is that she said “you know now that iga has seen that coco and rybakina are out, this has to feel like an opportunity for her”… one of those h2hs is not like the other chrissie," a fan shared.
Navarro will face Paula Badosa, while Swiatek will face Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals of the 2024 US Open.