5 questions for...
Patrick McEnroe
ESPN analyst Patrick McEnroe talks Nick Kyrgios’ tanking, Maria Sharapova’s Grand Slam return and Roger Federer’s unending popularity with The Post’s Justin Terranova as the U.S. Open begins Monday.
Q: Is Nick Kyrgios good for tennis?
A: I think he’s good for the game to a point. None of us around the sport likes that he completely quits in matches. If he could get rid of that, then people would deal with a little bit of showboating. He could help bring the average sports fan and attention to the game. But us purists don’t like when the sport gets attention for a guy quitting. Imagine watching this in any other sport? A player missing a free throw on purpose or not swinging at the plate.
Q: Are there any Americans outside of the [John] Isners and [Sam] Querreys who you could see making a run to the second week?
A: For the first time in awhile there’s like five or six young guys who are ready to do just that. At the top of my list would be Jared Donaldson, who
just broke into the top 50; Frances Tiafoe, who’s still a teenager, and the most athletic player in this group; Ernesto Escobedo, who hits a huge ball; Taylor Fritz, who made some huge strides at 18, but at 19 maybe took a step back.
Q: Did you think Maria Sharapova deserved a wild card?
A: I didn’t have a problem with her getting one, and I didn’t have a problem with the French Open not giving her one. I’ve sat on those USTA meetings where they make those decisions and I know they favor past champions, like she is. Obviously this is a different situation (with her drug suspension), but that apparently didn’t outweigh the other factors.
Q: Can she make a deep run here?
A: I’d be surprised if she was in late because of the injuries she’s dealt with. She just hasn’t played enough matches, and she’s a player that needs to play and play a lot to be ready to make a run. She doesn’t strike me as someone who can just come in and make a run, like Serena [Williams] has in the past. I’d be surprised to see her around in the middle of Week 2. Q: Is it just Roger Federer’s greatness that makes him so popular or are there other factors? A: There’s a multitude of other reasons. Having had the privilege of traveling around the world for tennis tournaments, I’ve never seen anything like it. Wherever this guy goes he’s absolutely idolized by people of all ages. The only comparison I can make, and I know my brother has made this one, it’s a little bit like [Bjorn] Borg. Borg sort of had it with younger fans; Roger seems to have it with every generation. It’s a combination of the way he handles himself and the way he plays. Whether he wins or loses, it’s a beautiful thing to watch. He has an amazing ability to connect with people, and simply he just loves to play tennis.