"I could get under his skin pretty easily": Nick Kyrgios reveals his honest opinion on a match against John McEnroe
ATP
Nick Kyrgios has never been one to shy away from an honest answer or a bold claim.
The outspoken Australian has built a reputation as one of tennis’s most unpredictable, entertaining, and headline-grabbing figures, and now, during a candid interview as part of TNT Sports’ Wimbledon coverage, Kyrgios has stirred up a storm once again.
This time, by claiming he would have rattled tennis legend John McEnroe into a default if the two had ever gone head-to-head.
When asked which player from history he would’ve liked to face, Kyrgios didn’t hesitate."John McEnroe," he replied. "I think he would have been defaulted because I could get under his skin pretty easily.".
The comment immediately lit up tennis circles, with fans and pundits speculating about how a hypothetical clash between two of the game’s most volatile personalities would have played out.
Kyrgios’s claim may sound exaggerated, but given both players' fiery tempers and history of run-ins with umpires, it’s not hard to imagine fireworks erupting on court.
While Kyrgios’s career has included explosive incidents, most notably his infamous chair-throwing disqualification in Rome in 2019, McEnroe’s own resume includes a notorious default at the 1990 Australian Open. In that match, McEnroe was disqualified for three code violations after leading Mikael Pernfors by two sets to one.
His offences included unsportsmanlike conduct, racket abuse, and swearing at umpire Gerry Armstrong.
Looking back on the incident years later, McEnroe admitted that while he didn’t believe he deserved to be defaulted in that particular match, there were “a few others” where he probably did.
"I pushed it to the limit a lot," McEnroe told The New York Times in 2015.
Kyrgios, 30, may be best known today for his dramatic flair and unfiltered interviews, but the Australian remains one of the few active players to have beaten Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, a feat few can match.
His most memorable performance came at Wimbledon 2022, where he reached his first Grand Slam singles final, losing to Djokovic in four sets.
However, injury struggles have plagued him since, with Kyrgios notably absent from many recent major tournaments. Despite that, his insight during media duties has been refreshingly raw and often, provocative.
When asked during the TNT Sports interview to name his favourite match, Kyrgios chose not his Wimbledon final, but a 2017 semifinal clash with Roger Federer at the Miami Open. "Probably against Roger Federer in Miami," Kyrgios recalled. "It was a crazy atmosphere to play in and that match is very well known.".
He also reflected on one of his lowest points, the 2019 Rome Open, where he was disqualified for losing his temper. "Probably when I threw a chair in Rome and got defaulted," Kyrgios admitted. "It was such an incredible match, it was a soccer crowd and I lost control.".
The parallels between Kyrgios and McEnroe are clear: both were wildly talented, occasionally self-destructive, and often at odds with tennis authorities.
Though while McEnroe’s only career default came in a single Grand Slam match, Kyrgios believes he could have driven the American to cross the line more than once.
After all, if there’s one thing McEnroe was known for, it is never letting a challenge go unanswered. It is a match that fans can only imagine, but with both men still prominent figures in the sport’s commentary scene, don’t be surprised if McEnroe has a fiery reply of his own soon.
Despite ongoing physical setbacks, Kyrgios is targeting a comeback at the US Open later this year, where he is expected to play at least mixed doubles, teaming up with former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka.
The high-profile pairing has already generated buzz, and both players are eager to get back on court and make an impact in New York.
Sean Killen is a contributing journalist for both DartsNews.com and Tennisuptodate.com, where he balances his university studies with writing news updates, player features, and match reports across both sports.
Before joining the sites, Sean built experience across student and professional media. He serves as TV News Director for Cardiff University TV (CUTV), has reported for Gair Rhydd and The Cardiff Times, and produced viral news coverage that gained international attention. His reporting spans sports, breaking news, and human-interest features, and he’s worked across platforms including print, online, radio, and video.
Sean has followed the ATP and WTA tennis tours closely for years, with a growing interest in darts through the Premier League and World Championship circuits. He brings a sharp eye for storytelling, a commitment to accuracy, and a passion for making niche sports accessible to wider audiences.
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