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John McEnroe sparked controversy during last month’s French Open when he suggested Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner would be favourites against Rafael Nadal at his peak on clay courts.
The American tennis icon made the remarks on TNT Sports following Alcaraz’s remarkable comeback victory over Sinner in the Roland Garros final.
“You took a look at them bringing their A-game right now – I’m saying Sinner and Alcaraz against Nadal on clay – you would make a serious argument with both guys that they would be favoured to beat Nadal, at his best,” McEnroe said.
The tennis legend amended his stance during Wimbledon coverage on Tuesday, clarifying his original remarks as Alcaraz progressed to the semi-finals with a straight-sets victory over Cameron Norrie.
John McEnroe came under fire for his comments on Rafael Nadal
PA
Speaking on BBC One, McEnroe explained his position had been misunderstood.
“I made a comment during the French [Open] where I said these guys [Alcaraz and Sinner] would have a shot… I didn’t say they would beat Nadal every time,” he said.
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“I said the fact that you would think these two players would actually go onto the court really believing they could do it – with Nadal in his prime – it shows you how much the level of the game has changed even in a couple of years.”
Tennis coach Calvin Betton strongly criticised McEnroe’s original comments, branding them “disrespectful” and “ludicrous” on the Tennis Unfiltered podcast.
Betton, who coached Henry Patten to last year’s Wimbledon doubles title, defended Nadal’s clay court supremacy.
“Nadal would beat them both in straight sets on the same day in his prime,” Betton said.
“People are talking about how big they hit and how the game has moved on… try doing that when Nadal has got you pinned in the backhand corner hitting balls above your shoulders.”
He added: “It’s ludicrous and a little bit disrespectful to already be saying that. Are you kidding me? Come on.”
Alcaraz and Sinner have established themselves as the dominant forces in men’s tennis following the retirements of Nadal and Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic’s decline at 38.
The pair have claimed seven of the past eight Grand Slam titles between them.
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John McEnroe said Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner would be favourites against Rafael Nadal at his peak on clay courts
Reuters
Alcaraz’s French Open triumph marked his fifth major at just 22 years old, the same age Nadal was when he secured his fifth Grand Slam.
Sinner, a year older, has captured three majors including two Australian Opens and last year’s US Open.
The Spaniard’s Roland Garros victory came after a stunning comeback from two sets down, saving three championship points in what many considered one of the greatest Grand Slam finals ever witnessed.
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