The former tennis champion, 67, has been dividing Wimbledon viewers with his commentating skills
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John McEnroe left his BBC commentary midway through Arthur Feryâs match against Grigor Dimitrov at Wimbledon on Monday.
The former menâs tennis singles champion, 67, was commentating on the British wildcard sensation Feryâs fourth-round game alongside Andrew Cotter and Tim Henman on Monday.
Fery won the opening set but Dimitrov came back to claim the second, with Fery taking a lengthy toilet break afterward.
The 23-year-old Brit has stunned tennis fans to become this yearâs Wimbledon âwildcard wonderâ. Ranked No. 114 in the world, he booked his place in the semi-finals after defeating Italyâs Flavio Cobolli in Tuesdayâs quarter-final.
McEnroe took the the opportunity during the pause in play on Monday to make a hasty exit from his commentating duties.
âI think we're going to have to bid farewell at this point," Cotter told viewers. "John McEnroe to take a break, never to return."
McEnroe replied: "Well, hopefully I'll return but I've got contractual obligations to do the lone American in the draw, Taylor Fritz.â
John McEnroe had to leave the Arthur Fery match on Monday
BBC
The tennis ace and broadcaster left to commentate on Fritzâs match against Alexander Bublik.
âHe's maybe the slight favourite to get to the final on this half. I'm sure Bublik, Zverev and others may have a say about that,â McEnroe said.
âYou guys call a great rest of the match."
McEnroe has been dividing Wimbledon viewers with his commentary over the course of the 2026 Championships.
While some fans praised his enthusiastic notes, others called out the former US athlete for going on tangents about various topics during the matches.
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McEnroe attracted the ire of viewers especially during the quarter-final between Jannik Sinner and Jan-Lennard Struff on Tuesday.
"God does McEnroe ever stop talking about irrelevant nonsense?" one asked on X, while another added: âMcEnroe on again I've switched it off.â
"McEnroe really p***ing me off with his commentary,â a third viewer posted.
British wildcard Fery won his game
PA
While McEnroe has been covering the live matches, Clare Balding has been providing the post-match analysis for the BBC.
The former Celebrity Traitors star was shut down by Tim Henman on Monday for bringing up Henmanâs match loss from decades earlier.
Balding mentioned that Fery's 24th birthday on Sunday coincides with the men's final.
"Itâs his birthday on Sunday, Tim! Menâs finals day," the former Celebrity Traitors star said. Pundit Jamie Murray replied: "Itâs written in the stars."
Balding continued: "And 25 years ago today, so before he was born, the only wildcard to win Wimbledon , Goran Ivanisevic, did that. I meanâŠ"
Serbian player Ivanisevic beat Henman in a five-set semi-final before going on to win Wimbledon. It was the third of Henman's four losses at that stage in the tournament.
Henman was quick to butt in to avoid reliving his failure, saying: "This is a much better story, letâs not go back to 2001!"
Balding replied: "OK, letâs just keep looking forward, youâre right."
Fery has completely defied expectations, transforming his wildcard opportunity into an open-era record-breaking streak.
The young tennis star collapsed with joy after defeating Cobolli to reach the Wimbledon semi finals.
Fery moves on to the Friday semifinals where he will face second seed and reigning French Open champion Alexander Zverev, who defeated Taylor Fritz in straight sets on Court One .
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I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.
John McEnroe left his BBC commentary midway through Arthur Feryâs match against Grigor Dimitrov at Wimbledon on Monday.
The former menâs tennis singles champion, 67, was commentating on the British wildcard sensation Feryâs fourth-round game alongside Andrew Cotter and Tim Henman on Monday.
Fery won the opening set but Dimitrov came back to claim the second, with Fery taking a lengthy toilet break afterward.
The 23-year-old Brit has stunned tennis fans to become this yearâs Wimbledon âwildcard wonderâ. Ranked No. 114 in the world, he booked his place in the semi-finals after defeating Italyâs Flavio Cobolli in Tuesdayâs quarter-final.
McEnroe took the the opportunity during the pause in play on Monday to make a hasty exit from his commentating duties.
âI think we're going to have to bid farewell at this point," Cotter told viewers. "John McEnroe to take a break, never to return."
McEnroe replied: "Well, hopefully I'll return but I've got contractual obligations to do the lone American in the draw, Taylor Fritz.â
John McEnroe had to leave the Arthur Fery match on Monday
BBC
The tennis ace and broadcaster left to commentate on Fritzâs match against Alexander Bublik.
âHe's maybe the slight favourite to get to the final on this half. I'm sure Bublik, Zverev and others may have a say about that,â McEnroe said.
âYou guys call a great rest of the match."
McEnroe has been dividing Wimbledon viewers with his commentary over the course of the 2026 Championships.
While some fans praised his enthusiastic notes, others called out the former US athlete for going on tangents about various topics during the matches.
Read More
Who is Arthur Fery? British wildcard storms into Wimbledon semi-finals
Harry visits Royal Hospital Chelsea for Invictus meetings day after legal defeat
Sponsored
Winter escapes and activities to end the year in style
Sponsored
Choose the right education path for your child
McEnroe attracted the ire of viewers especially during the quarter-final between Jannik Sinner and Jan-Lennard Struff on Tuesday.
"God does McEnroe ever stop talking about irrelevant nonsense?" one asked on X, while another added: âMcEnroe on again I've switched it off.â
"McEnroe really p***ing me off with his commentary,â a third viewer posted.
British wildcard Fery won his game
PA
While McEnroe has been covering the live matches, Clare Balding has been providing the post-match analysis for the BBC.
The former Celebrity Traitors star was shut down by Tim Henman on Monday for bringing up Henmanâs match loss from decades earlier.
Balding mentioned that Fery's 24th birthday on Sunday coincides with the men's final.
"Itâs his birthday on Sunday, Tim! Menâs finals day," the former Celebrity Traitors star said. Pundit Jamie Murray replied: "Itâs written in the stars."
Balding continued: "And 25 years ago today, so before he was born, the only wildcard to win Wimbledon , Goran Ivanisevic, did that. I meanâŠ"
Serbian player Ivanisevic beat Henman in a five-set semi-final before going on to win Wimbledon. It was the third of Henman's four losses at that stage in the tournament.
Henman was quick to butt in to avoid reliving his failure, saying: "This is a much better story, letâs not go back to 2001!"
Balding replied: "OK, letâs just keep looking forward, youâre right."
Fery has completely defied expectations, transforming his wildcard opportunity into an open-era record-breaking streak.
The young tennis star collapsed with joy after defeating Cobolli to reach the Wimbledon semi finals.
Fery moves on to the Friday semifinals where he will face second seed and reigning French Open champion Alexander Zverev, who defeated Taylor Fritz in straight sets on Court One .
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