"Andre Agassi's whole act will be tough to keep going, it's easier being a jerk" - When John McEnroe accused Agassi of making opponents feel ridiculed

John McEnroe once lashed out at Andre Agassi over his conduct on the court, drawing a sharp contrast to his own behavior. McEnroe also accused his fellow American of putting on a false front, which Agassi strongly refuted.

Agassi, who was 18 at the time, made headlines at the 1988 US Open by breaking convention with his eye-catching acid-wash Nike jean shorts during his campaign. The fourth seed also captured attention with his bold and flamboyant personality, frequently engaging with the crowd.

However, John McEnroe took issue with Andre Agassi's antics. The former World No. 1 complained that Agassi's conduct on the court seemed to mock and ridicule his opponents, which he found disrespectful.

McEnroe, who was known for his own fiery and combative personality, argued that his behavior was more authentic and suggested that it was easier to be a "jerk" than for Agassi to maintain his "whole act."

"The stuff he pulls on the court makes opponents think they're being made fun of. Players like to get stabbed in the back more than in front. I was more straightforward. His whole act will be tough to keep going. It's easier being a jerk," McEnroe said (via Sports Illustrated).

However, Andre Agassi dismissed McEnroe's accusations, emphasizing that his behavior wasn't a facade and didn't require any effort to sustain. Agassi also highlighted his connection to the audience, asserting that as long as the crowd enjoyed his presence, he saw no reason to change his conduct.

"John doesn't understand, it's not an effort for me to keep this stuff up. It's not a facade. I like the vibes I get from people. Until I get different vibes, I don't think I'll stop," Andre Agassi responded.

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"I wasn't going to do what John McEnroe did and yell and scream" - Andre Agassi on Ivan Lendl's complaints about his grunting at US Open 1988

John McEnroe and Andre Agassi - Source: Getty

John McEnroe wasn't alone in his criticism, as Ivan Lendl complained to the chair umpire about Andre Agassi's inconsistent and "disturbing" grunting during their blockbuster semi-final clash at the 1988 US Open.

"Andre grunts, and that's fine. But when he goes for a big shot, he grunts much harder... if it's a winner, and you have no play on the ball, that's fine, but when you have a play on the ball it throws off your timing, because you just hear something different. I don't think he does it on purpose, but I don't think he realizes how disturbing it is," Lendl told the press.

Agassi expressed annoyance with the chair umpire's decision to confront him about his grunting, calling it "very bad judgment." However, the American chose not to argue, as he didn't want to emulate John McEnroe's outbursts.

"It didn't make any sense to be honest. I thought it was ridiculous for him to approach me with something like that. I thought it was very bad judgment on his part, but what can you do? I wasn't going to do what John (McEnroe) did last year and yell and scream, so I kind of blew it off," Agassi said.

Despite his frustration with Andre Agassi's grunts, Ivan Lendl claimed a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 victory to advance to the final of the New York Major. Mats Wilander emerged victorious against Lendl in the blockbuster title clash, beating the three-time defending champion 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 to clinch his seventh Grand Slam title.