John McEnroe causes outrage with 'disgusting' Emma Raducanu comments

John McEnroe has been widely condemned in the tennis world over insensitive comments he made about Emma Raducanu's sad exit from Wimbledon.

Raducanu was forced to retire during the second set of her fourth-round clash with Ajla Tomljanovic on Monday due to breathing difficulties.

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Tomljanovic reached her first-ever grand slam quarter-final, but admitted she was "really sad" for ailing British teenager Raducanu.

The 18-year-old, who had become Britain's new sporting darling with her fairytale run to the last 16, had to pull out when 6-3 3-0 down to the Aussie No.2 in a late evening match on Court 1.

The devastating scenes left fans and pundits heartbroken, but many were left outraged by remarks from McEnroe in commentary.

Commentating for the BBC, the American tennis great suggested Raducanu was simply overawed by the situation.

“It’s a shame. I feel bad for Emma. It appears like it just got too much, which is understandable,” he said.

“It makes you look at the guys and girls who have been around for so long and wonder how they handle it. Hopefully she will learn from this experience.

“Maybe it’s not a shame this has happened right now when she is 18. I played this tournament at 18 and in a way I was happy I lost.

“I was able to understand what it would take to make it. Allow her to take some deep breaths and maybe get some wildcards.”

John McEnroe slammed over 'disgusting' comments

McEnroe's comments were down like a lead balloon, with dozens of fans and commentators slamming him.

Journalist Chloe Hubbard tweeted: “Feel like the producers could have given McEnroe a bit of a better mental health briefing ahead of him sharing ALL the views there. But you do you.”

Broadcaster Harriet Minter wrote: “Listening to the John McEnroe commentary about Emma Raducanu. Two things: 1. Is he drunk? 2. Is there anything more annoying than a man telling a woman she’s not hurt she’s just emotional? No, no there isn’t. Please ask him to stop.”

Former rugby union star Christian Day wrote: “McEnroe sounding like the ex-player who now sits at the corner of the clubhouse bar and tells anyone who’ll listen that they’re crap compared to his day.”

Others labelled the comments "disgusting" and "appalling".

Raducanu's problems seemed to start early in the second set, when she started clutching at her stomach.

She was treated by a trainer and doctor, and had to go off court to be treated for a complaint that appeared to have cropped up at the start of the second set.

The world No.338, who'd only ever played one tour match before her great Wimbledon run, was not well enough to return to the court.

"I am really sorry for her, I wish we could have finished it. I am wishing her all the best," Tomljanovic told the crowd, admitting how shocked she was.

with AAP

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