"I wouldn't say anything different" - McEnroe on Raducanu commentary last year

John McEnroe admitted that he would not say anything different and he is standing by the comments he made last year about Raducanu after Wimbledon.

McEnroe caused a bit of a storm last summer when Raducanu retired with breathing problems from her fourth-round clash on her Grand Slam main draw debut, suggesting the British teenager could not handle the pressure. In a new interview with Daily Mail, McEnroe admitted:

“I wouldn’t say anything different. I’ve never met Emma I was just giving an educated guess as to what I thought was happening, based on 40 or 45 years being around the professional game. I have four girls of my own. It happens all the time. It’s not like she’s the first person it’s happened to, this has been going on as far back as when I was playing."

McEnroe continued by giving further examples:

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“Naomi Osaka’s had issues with mental health. You were supposed to grit your teeth and bare it and get through it and tough it out and this type of stuff. Now it’s becoming more of a discussion point, rightfully so. A lot of times for these young guys and girls, it’s a lot to deal with when they’re not prepared to. It’s a dream, but it’s also can be quite difficult, like overwhelming."

And more:

"Simona Halep said she had the first panic attack of her life playing at the French Open. So this is something that’s being discussed more and more. I was trying to be supportive of her without exactly knowing what was happening. And I felt bad for her. And I was amazed that she was able to come out of that and suddenly win the US. Open. I’m on her side. Just for the good of the game, I’d like to see her be able to reach her potential.”

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