Wimbledon: John McEnroe says ‘it got a bit too much’ for ‘emotional’ Emma Raducanu as fans blast ‘sexist’ comments

US tennis legend says British teenage sensation struggled to handle pressure in last-16 defeat by Alja Tomljanovic

Social media users criticise McEnroe for ‘stunning misogyny’ after 18-year-old Raducanu retires with breathing difficulties

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Emma Raducanu receives medical treatment during her fourth-round loss to Ajla Tomljanovic at Wimbledon. Photo: EPA

Published: 1:19pm, 6 Jul 2021Updated: 5:37pm, 6 Jul 2021

John McEnroe has come under fire for suggesting “it got a bit too much” for Emma Raducanu after Britain’s teenage Wimbledon sensation retired in the second set of her last-16 clash with Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic.

The 18-year-old, who has a Romanian father and Chinese mother, became a breakout Wimbledon wild card just weeks after making her WTA Tour debut, and the youngest British woman to reach the second week at the All England Club since 1959.

But world No 338 Raducanu left the court for medical treatment after losing the first set 6-4 to Tomljanovic, and then retired with breathing difficulties at 3-0 down in the second set,clutching her stomach.

Seven-time grand slam winner McEnroe, 62, suggested Raducanu – who is coached by Andy Murray’s father-in-law Nigel Sears – became “emotional” and could not handle the pressure in front of thousands of fans on No 1 Court.

Emma Raducanu clutches her stomach during the match. Photo: AFP

“I feel bad for Emma,” he said, speaking to presenter Clare Balding in his role as an analyst on the BBC. “I mean obviously it got … it appears it got a bit too much, as is understandable, particularly what we’ve been talking about for the last six weeks.