• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Larry Brown Sports

Larry Brown Sports

Brown Bag it, Baby

  • Home
  • Blog View
  • NFL
  • NCAAF
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • Media
  • Headlines
  • Podcast
TennisJohn McEnroe

John McEnroe makes plea to USTA: ‘It’s not humane’

September 6, 2023 (Updated: February 11, 2025) by Larry Brown • Comments
FacebookTweetLinkedInRedditThreadsWhatsAppEmail
John McEnroe looks on
Mar 2, 2020; New York, New York, USA; Former professional tennis player John McEnroe attends the game between the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

John McEnroe made a plea to the USTA on Wednesday regarding the playing conditions at the US Open.

McEnroe was sitting at ESPN’s remote studio desk for the US Open at Flushing Meadows, N.Y. McEnroe, James Blake and Chris McKendry were talking about the conditions endured by Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals match between the men earlier in the day, which Medvedev won in straight sets.

McEnroe said the hot and human conditions the two played through were “not humane in a way.”

“These poor guys today … they looked like they’re going to fall over. It’s not humane in a way,” McEnroe said. “I’m sorry. Please, USTA, in the future, I think seriously we should close the roof.”

The USTA is the United States Tennis Association, which is the governing body of tennis in the U.S., including the US Open.

Arthur Ashe Stadium has a retractable roof that was left open for Wednesday’s matches. The roof is typically closed if there is rain, but not due to heat. Medvedev issued a harsher warning to the tournament organizers, saying that someone would die eventually.

McEnroe believes the conditions are not resulting in what tennis should ultimately strive for: to have players playing at their best, not dragging through a match at their worst.

“The best tennis player, not a war of attrition,” McEnroe says they should be aiming for.

It wasn’t quite as hot out during the first week of the tournament, but it was around 93 degrees out on Wednesday, in addition to the humidity. That produced some extremely difficult playing conditions in the main stadium, which McEnroe doesn’t think is the way it should be.


  • i want more great stories!

Sign up today for free and get the best sports content sent to your inbox.

You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.

.
LBS iPhone App
Get the App

Follow Us

Get instantly notified of the most viral news stories via Google!

  • Trending stories

Russ Smith poses for a mugshot

Former Final Four hero arrested on suspicion of DUI

5 days ago
Angel Reese in a jersey

Angel Reese wore ridiculous outfit to game before losing to Fever

4 days ago
The New York Knicks logo

1 Knicks player not expected to be back next season

5 days ago
Tom Thibodeau looking on

New details emerge regarding why Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau

6 days ago
Aryna Sabalenka French Open speech

Everyone said the same thing about Aryna Sabalenka’s runner-up speech

6 days ago

Sidebar

© 2025 · LB Sports Media Group Inc

  • X
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • RSS Feed
  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Process
  • Staff Writers
  • Privacy Policy
Dedicated to the memory of Nevil Vega