16 July 2023 , 13:37
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Tennis icon John McEnroe is not a fan of how players are made to curtsy in front of the Royal Box at Wimbledon.
Prince William and Kate Middleton are in attendance at Centre Court for the Wimbledon men’s singles final between seven-time champion Novak Djokovic and World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz. It is a thrilling prospect, pitting perhaps the two best and most exciting players against one another for all the glory at SW19.
William and Kate are joined by their two eldest children in the Royal Box on Sunday, but the famously outspoken McEnroe is not the biggest fan of the exclusive seated area. In his book ‘But Seriously’, the American laid bare his grievances with the Royal Box.
McEnroe expressed his displeasure with players having to perform a curtsy in front of the members in the Royal Box. He labelled the tradition an example of the class system going ‘mad’ in a shot at that pageantry surrounding the Championships and the extensions of the royal family.
“As for all the bowing and the curtsying - and we're not just talking about the Queen here, we're talking about some pretty minor royals - what was that all about?” McEnroe wrote. “This was the class system gone mad, the opposite of a meritocracy where hard work is rewarded and people are respected because they've actually done something, not because they've been born on the right side of the tracks.”
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McEnroe also suggested those watching in the Royal Box should consider reversing the roles and bowing to the players, given they provide the entertainment. He added: “Who were the performers here? The players, right?
“So why were they bowing to someone else when they were about to provide the entertainment? Those people in the royal box should think about bowing to them.”
John McEnroe is often part of the broadcast team at Wimbledon (CameraSport via Getty Images)McEnroe is a name forever linked with Wimbledon, as he won 59 of 70 matches en route to three singles titles. He also established himself as one of the most colourful players in the Championships’ history.
The American's first appearance at the tournament came in 1977 when he reached the semifinals before losing to Jimmy Connors. He secured his first title at SW19 in 1981, defeating rival Bjorn Borg 4-6 7-6 (1) 7-6 (4) 6-4 in the final.
He added a second title in 1983, seeing off New Zealand star Chris Lewis in straight sets 6-2 6-2 6-2. McEnroe then managed to successfully defend his crown with victory over Connors 6-1 6-1 6-2.
Apart from his singles triumphs, McEnroe also won five men's doubles titles at the grasscourt Grand Slam. He made his last appearance at the tournament in 1992, reaching the semifinals before falling to eventual champion Andre Agassi.