McEnroe: I’m a proud feminist

On the court, he was infamous for his tantrums.

But John McEnroe has shown a sensitive side in retirement – revealing he is ‘proud to be a feminist’.

The US star, 58, made the remark as he criticised the gender pay gap in professional tennis.

Although each of the four Grand Slam tournaments offers the same prize money for men and women, there is a huge discrepancy between the annual earnings of the game’s top male and female players.

Asked about the issue, McEnroe, pictured, told the Sunday Times: ‘I’m often asked about equal prize money and whether women “deserve it” .... ‘Just because the guys play best of five doesn’t mean we should get 40 per cent more money.’

McEnroe retired having won seven Grand Slam singles titles including three Wimbledon championships, where he will return next month as a commentator.