McEnroe “Digs” French Open Star’s Court Outburst

John McEnroe, the tennis legend known for his own fiery temperament, has seemingly given a nod of approval to Mirra Andreeva’s recent on-court meltdown at the French Open. The young Russian player’s anger boiled over during her match against Lois Boisson, resulting in a code violation and a wave of boos from the crowd. But what does McEnroe, a former master of controlled chaos, make of it all?

Andreeva’s French Open Frustration

Mirra Andreeva’s quarterfinal match against France’s own Lois Boisson at the 2025 French Open was filled with drama. The young Russian, seeded sixth, struggled with the partisan crowd and ultimately lost in straight sets, 7-6 (6), 6-3.

Several factors contributed to Andreeva’s frustration:

• Crowd Noise: Andreeva complained to the umpire about the crowd being too noisy during her serves. After a double fault in the first-set tiebreak, she urged the official to calm the audience.
• Umpire Disputes: Andreeva was involved in a heated exchange with the umpire after Boisson successfully challenged a call. Andreeva insisted her forehand landed on the line but was proven wrong by Hawk-Eye.
• Ball Smashing Incident: After losing a 3-0 lead in the second set, Andreeva angrily smashed a ball into the stands, earning a code violation and loud boos from the crowd.

Following the match, Andreeva acknowledged her outburst, stating, “I think that I can learn from this.”

McEnroe: A History of On-Court Explosions

To understand why McEnroe might “like” Andreeva’s meltdown, it’s important to remember his own history of on-court outbursts. McEnroe’s fiery temper was as much a part of his game as his incredible skill.

• “You Cannot Be Serious!”: This iconic phrase, shouted at a Wimbledon umpire, became synonymous with McEnroe’s confrontational style.
• Challenging Calls: McEnroe was known for berating umpires and challenging calls he perceived as incorrect.
• Fueling the Fire: While his behavior drew criticism, McEnroe also believed his anger sometimes fueled his performance.

McEnroe’s controversial behavior sparked debate about professionalism and decorum in sports. While some criticized his lack of control, others saw his passion as a key part of his appeal.

McEnroe’s Commentary Style

Since retiring from professional tennis, McEnroe has become a well-known commentator. His commentary style is characterized by:

• Candid and Insightful Analysis: McEnroe offers honest and often blunt assessments of players and matches.
• Strong Opinions: He isn’t afraid to voice his opinions, even if they are controversial.
• Fiery Personality: McEnroe’s commentary retains the same passion and intensity that defined his playing career.

However, his commentary has also drawn criticism. Some fans find him too opinionated or distracting, while others have accused him of sexism or mispronouncing players’ names.

What McEnroe Has Said About Player Emotions

While there’s no direct quote of McEnroe commenting specifically on Andreeva’s incident, there are instances of him talking about other players’ on-court emotions, which gives an idea of his probable perspective.

• Andrey Rublev’s Meltdown: In 2024, McEnroe commented on Andrey Rublev’s emotional outburst at the French Open, stating that while he understands the frustration, players need to know when to pull back to maintain focus.
• Channeling Anger: McEnroe has spoken about how players can channel anger and frustration to their advantage.
• Djokovic’s Adversity: McEnroe has defended Novak Djokovic against crowd hostility, noting how the adversity has fueled the player’s success.

Given McEnroe’s own history and his commentary on similar situations, it’s likely he views Andreeva’s outburst with a degree of understanding. He may see it as a sign of passion and competitiveness, even if it crossed a line.

Boisson’s Breakthrough

While Andreeva’s meltdown grabbed headlines, it’s important to acknowledge the impressive performance of Lois Boisson. The French player, ranked No. 361 in the world, achieved a major breakthrough at the French Open:

• Upsetting Pegula: Boisson stunned third-seed Jessica Pegula to reach the quarterfinals.
• Defeating Andreeva: She followed up that victory with a win over Andreeva to reach the semi-finals.
• Home Crowd Support: Boisson benefited from strong support from the French crowd.

Boisson’s success is particularly remarkable considering she suffered an ACL injury before the previous year’s French Open.

The Deodorant Controversy

Adding another layer of intrigue to Boisson’s story is a past controversy. In April 2025, British player Harriet Dart complained to the umpire during a match against Boisson, alleging that Boisson “smelled really bad”. The comments caused a social media storm. Boisson laughed off the incident, while Dart apologized for her outburst. Boisson seems to have used the incident as motivation, turning an unwanted viral moment into a successful run at Roland Garros.

Is McEnroe Right?

Whether McEnroe is right to “like” Andreeva’s outburst is a matter of opinion. Some will argue that such behavior is unacceptable in professional sports, while others will see it as a sign of passion and competitiveness. Regardless, the incident has sparked discussion about the role of emotions in tennis and the pressures faced by young athletes.