John McEnroe, often criticized for his commentary missteps—such as previously labeling Nicolás Jarry as “unknown”—faced fresh backlash on Thursday at the Australian Open.
During an on-court post-match interview with World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, McEnroe stumbled once again. He asked Sinner if he was familiar with Tristan Schoolkate, the Italian’s second-round opponent who had managed to take a set off him—the first set Sinner had dropped since October. As anticipated, Sinner, who didn’t play extensively at the junior level, responded by making that point clear.
“Well, I didn’t play many juniors”, answered the World No.1.
McEnroe also followed up that question by saying that Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic ‘also lost sets to a couple of unknowns.”
But despite that there was some humour as he hilariously asked Sinner: “I’m pretty emotional. You’re able to control yourself so well. How do you do it?”
To which the Italian said: “We can say we are a bit different me and you” and McEnroe responded saying: “What are you saying?” to which Sinner jokingly ended the interview.
During that interview, he also touched on defending a Grand Slam title for the first time. “It’s definitely a different feeling. So many beautiful moments on and off the court happened for me here in this beautiful place. I take it as a chance to hopefully do it again. But it’s still a very long way to go. We go day by day. Seeing my level today, we know I can improve. Hopefully I can show this in the next round and it’s gonna be a great tournament for me again.”
Nick Kyrgios launches into chair umpire as Thanasi Kokkinakis hit with code violation
Nick Kyrgios erupted at the chair umpire during a doubles match after his partner, Thanasi Kokkinakis, received a violation for ball abuse.
Facing fellow Australians James Duckworth and Aleksandar Vukic, the match reached a tense moment at 4-3 as Duckworth and Vukic attempted to break their opponents’ serve.
After losing the point by hitting the ball into the net, Kokkinakis aggressively struck the ball into the air in frustration. This action violated the player code of conduct, which prohibits players from hitting, kicking, or throwing a tennis ball violently, dangerously, or angrily, except when pursuing a point during play.
When the umpire issued the violation, Kyrgios immediately reacted with visible frustration.
“Bro, really? Really? You’re really going to do that?,” he said immediately.
Kyrgios then made reference to the fact Kokkinakis was playing injured after struggling to get through his singles match the night before.
“So him trying to play in front of the fans doesn’t mean anything? You’re going to give him a f—ing code violation for that? Really bro? F–k off.”
Kyrgios’ frustration didn’t end there, muttering to himself, “Bro, read the game,” before bringing up the code violation once more.
After Kokkinakis and Kyrgios secured the next game to take a 5-4 lead, Kyrgios focused solely on the umpire during the changeover, unleashing another outburst.
“We’re both injured right, full stadium of people to come see us play and he (Kokkinakis) doesn’t have to be here right and he hits a ball out of pain and you’re going to give him a code violation,” Kyrgios said.
“But it’s not unsportsmanlike? I’m just saying, read the game a bit more.
“I’m just saying, you don’t need to do that.”
Kokkinakis was later heard accusing Jack Draper, his second-round singles opponent, of committing a similar act but striking the ball flat.
Ultimately, Kokkinakis and Kyrgios were forced to retire from the doubles match due to injury, with Duckworth and Vukic leading 7-5, 3-2.
