John McEnroe takes a dig at Alexander Zverev with cryptic six-word statement dividing tennis fans

John McEnore has a tendency of getting the spotlight flashed on him for all the wrong reasons. He was in the thick of it at Flushing Meadows commentating on the men's US Open final in which Alexander Zverev prevailed 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 over American favourite Ben Shelton. His final words ahead of the commentary feed ending were a plea towards Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner to return fit and healthy, which in turn got a lot of criticism.

Zverev has once again capitalised on the misfortunes of the two best players in the world brilliantly. While they faltered with health concerns paramount, the German ignored all of that as he doubled his major count with a stunning performance against Shelton who could not find his best stuff on the biggest night of his life.

After having the pressure lifted at Roland Garros following that title triumph, Zverev looked composed throughout the rounds, dropping just one set from the third round onwards after escaping a brace of five-set thrillers. He was so focused on the task at hand that he did not realise that he triumphed in New York.

Following him jubilantly lifting the coveted trophy, ESPN commentary was set to conclude after another US Open culminated. McEnroe had just enough time to relay one final message. "Get well soon, Carlos and Jannik."

This was taken as a dig towards the World No.2 and was not met well by numerous tennis fans who baraged him with messages on social media. While it could have been a bit of a laid-back joke by the seven-time Grand Slam champion, the interpretation differed for many.

Sinner was not participating in this tournament due to a right knee injury that forced him out for all of the North American hardcourt swing, with Alcaraz fit enough to compete for the first time in four months, however going down to Shelton in the quarter-finals as his title defence ended.

Speaking on ESPN after the final, the seven-time Grand Slam champion did have some positive words to say about Zverev after his latest title triumph, making a bold prediction while he was at it that.

“Maybe he didn’t have luck. He probably should have had a few majors earlier. So karma works in strange ways and, one way or another, he will finish the year as world No. 1."

That is one of the only things Zverev has failed to achieve in what is an esteemed tennis career, signed off by those two major titles won this year. He was the first tennis player to be the No.1 seed at a Grand Slam who had never been No.1 in the world rankings.

The gap is a lot less than it was with Sinner's absence being capitalised on. Now 1,810 points behind with a seismic gap between him and Alcaraz, Zverev will need to rely on a strong end to the campaign while hopeful that Sinner fails to defend his titles in Beijing, Vienna, Paris and Turin at the ATP Finals. As well as that, the Italian has an opportunity to make some more ground at the Shanghai Masters following his third round exit in 2025.

It is certainly a long shot for Zverev, but if he can achieve this prestigious feat then that is another massive accomplishment ticked off. It does not have to be this year, like McEnroe states, with Sinner defending a lot of points next year following his Masters 1000 heroics. Time will tell whether the 29-year-old can make that next step.