Ten Questions: John McEnroe

TENNIS legend John McEnroe is in Melbourne commentating on the Australian Open for ESPN. He talks about sledging and passion.

John McEnroe considers his commentating role ‘to be like the icing on a cake’ for viewers. Picture: Luke Hemer

TENNIS legend John McEnroe is in Melbourne commentating on the Australian Open for ESPN. He talks to Sharri Markson about sledging and the lack of passion in the modern game.

What separates an excellent commentator from an average one?

Knowledge, experience, communication skills, good intuition, and feel.

What do you try to bring to the role?

I consider my role to be like the icing on a cake. I would like to think that I make things a little better and more enjoyable for the viewers and fans.

You’re well known for your passion on court. Do you think you’ve softened over the years?

Maybe a little bit, since what I do now sure beats working for a living. I still love to compete. In fact, I still hate losing even more than I love winning.

Is there enough passion in modern tennis?

We need to do a much better job of promoting our sport. I think the governing bodies have gone too far in restricting the players from demonstrating their personalities, passion and emotions on the court.

Is sledging an important part of sport? Does it bring an additional drive to the competition? What is sledging? Trash talking?

YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!!!

What are your predictions for the Open? Who is performing well?

I am sticking with my picks before the tournament started. Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams. Of course Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova may have something to say about that. Milos Raonic looks like he is in great form so he could be an outside factor.

What do you think of Nick Kyrgios? Do you like his cockiness?

I think Nick Kyrgios has charisma and great upside potential. I would love to see him break into the top 20 or 10 in the world.

After criticising Bernard Tomic for tanking a couple of years ago, do you see an improvement in his on-court demeanour?

Tennis can be a very difficult sport to play, since there are no substitutions, no time-outs, and the players play virtually all year round, without an off-season. I try to be extremely fair to the players but I still have to call things the way I see them. Bernard is a very promising player and it appears to me that he has dedicated himself recently to working even harder to achieve his full potential.

Mid last year you said you would consider coaching Andy Murray. Have any players approached you?

If a top player were to ask me to work with them, it would be difficult not to consider. However, I am still very busy and I don’t have any interest in travelling too much around the world as a coach. Besides, my phone isn’t exactly ringing off the hook.

Will you take a holiday in Australia after the tennis?

My wife, Patty Smyth, was able to join me in Sydney and Melbourne, so it would be great to take a holiday. However, with six kids, we will be heading home to New York after the tennis.

You’ve been involved in commentating, chat shows, hosting, music and an art gallery — and now you’re fronting a campaign for Bankwest. How did this come about?

Whatever I do, I do to the best of my ability. I am fortunate to be able to pick and choose what I want to do and who I want to be associated with. The Bankwest association makes sense to me because I believe in better service and making things easier for the customer.

Why did you choose to be involved with an Australian bank and front their campaign?

It is a fit for me because I like the creative behind the campaign.

Have you done any adverts for banks before?

Yes, in fact, just recently I was featured in a television campaign for JPMorgan Chase in the United States.

Are you more interested in tennis or music these days?

I love to play my guitar and attend rock concerts but I know where my bread is buttered. Being a professional athlete sure beats working for a living. Besides, the music talent in my family belongs to my wife Patty.

And how is your art gallery going?

I love collecting art and viewing great art at galleries and museums around the world. My art gallery is a private gallery, so I am able to do as much or as little as I want to do around my commitments and other interests.