"How the f**k does this guy stay on TV?" - John McEnroe's commentary during French Open draws the ire of tennis fans

American tennis legend John McEnroe has enraged some tennis fans with his commentary at the ongoing 2023 French Open. Fans have lashed out at the former World No. 1 for mispronouncing Stefanos Tsitsipas’ name several times and for not knowing the Greek's fourth-round opponent Sebastian Ofner.

McEnroe had a stellar career as a professional tennis player, to say the least. He is the only male player in history to hold the No. 1 ranking in singles and doubles simultaneously. The American finished his career with 77 singles and 78 doubles titles, including seven singles Grand Slams and 10 doubles Grand Slams.

But McEnroe, a Eurosport commentator alongside Mary Carillo for the French Open, has been heavily criticized for being a “terrible commentator.” Several tennis fans believe that the 64-year-old adds no value to the broadcast except for his famous name.

One fan stated on Twitter that it was “embarrassing” for McEnroe to call Ofner a “minor leaguer,” and expressed shock at how the American was still allowed on TV.

“Pardon my language, but how the f**k does this guy stay on TV? It's embarrassing when the average viewer knows more about the player than the commentator of the match,” wrote the user.

Another fan was tired of listening to McEnroe mispronounce players’ names repeatedly. This person suggested that the American use the ATP website to listen to the correct pronunciations of names.

"'Sissy-pass' and 'Zuh-verev' Hey Johnny Mac - you do know the ATP website is available and if you hit the sound button you can hear the players actually pronounce their own names. It’s not tough," the user wrote.

Several fans were also frustrated that John McEnroe’s colleagues did not correct him on air. Some, however, think that while McEnroe has been corrected off-air, he continues in his erroneous ways.

“And none of his colleagues will ever correct anything he says,” one fan wrote.

“Is McEnroe still pronouncing it 'Sissy Pass?' Surely he’s been corrected off camera many times, but chooses to continue pronouncing it that way,” another said.

Here are more reactions from irate tennis fans:

John McEnroe calls French Open crowd booing Novak Djokovic “absurd”

John McEnroe recently defended Novak Djokovic after the Serb was booed by the crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier. The incident occurred when Djokovic took a medical timeout during his third-round victory over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

Djokovic had to battle for two hours and 49 minutes to take a two-set-to-love lead over the Spaniard, and let out a huge roar upon sealing the second set. The 22-time Grand Slam winner was, however, booed by the spectators for his celebration.

"Why do they boo?" McEnroe said in response to the crowd reaction. "Everyone does it [take a medical time-out]. It’s totally legal, you’re allowed to work and rub his legs! Where’s Davidovich Fokina? He’s off to the bathroom.”

On the celebration, McEnroe said:

"I totally get his reaction. Are you kidding me? Are you going to boo for this? The other guy’s not even on the court! Change the rules if you don’t want to let a guy get worked on, but don’t start doing that. It’s absurd!”

John McEnroe also went on to say that Djokovic has battled hostile crowds his entire career, and that it has pushed and inspired the Serb, inadvertently helping him earn great success.