John McEnroe left his BBC Wimbledon commentary duties midway through Arthur Fery’s clash with Grigor Dimitrov when the tennis legend made a swift exit
John McEnroe was forced to abandon his BBC commentary role halfway through Arthur Fery’s match against Grigor Dimitrov.
The last remaining Brit clinched the first set 7-5, but his more seasoned adversary bounced back to secure the second 6-3. Fery took an extended toilet break at the conclusion of the second set and during this intermission, McEnroe seized the chance to make a hasty departure.
The American was in the BBC commentary box alongside Andrew Cotter and Tim Henman when he had to step away from his duties.
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“I think we’re going to have to bid farewell at this point,” Cotter informed viewers. “John McEnroe to take a break, never to return.”
McEnroe responded: “Well, hopefully I’ll return but I’ve got contractual obligations to do the lone American in the draw, Taylor Fritz.
“He’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. You guys call a great rest of the match.”, reports the Express.
No. 9 seed Linda Noskova had just defeated Madison Keys 6-4, 7-6(2) on Court 1, signalling it was time for Taylor Fritz to enter the arena for his showdown with Alexander Bublik.
And the No. 6 seed recognises that it will be a challenging encounter against the world No.
11.
“I don’t really have, like, a preference between the two of ’em,” Fritz stated when it was still uncertain whether he would face Bublik or Frances Tiafoe. “Both are very crafty. Good grass court players playing well. In form. I mean, I have good stuff to go off of because I played both of them in this grass court season.
“Yeah, I mean, no preference. But both really, really dangerous players. It’s not an easy round of 16.”