US Open Second Service: John McEnroe clarifies his comments “Rafael Nadal can do whatever he wants” and Gauff honoured “to I guess open up the court for her”
Looking back on the big news in our exclusive ‘US Open Second Service’… John McEnroe clarified his recent preferential treatment comment with “Rafael Nadal can do whatever he wants” as Coco Gauff expressed honour “to I guess open up the court for Serena”, plus more…
To start, John McEnroe has angrily denied claims that he believes Rafael Nadal is āstainingā his legacy with unpunished violations of the serve-clock.
Speaking toĀ Eurosport, McEnroe said: āWhy did they [the journalist] throw me under the bus [in the press conference]?
āWe havenāt had that talk but let me just add that he didnāt let me finish, whoever the journalist was. Rafa Nadal is entitled to do whatever he wants.
āThatās part of why you get as good as [Nadal is]. Youāve got to deal with that. And itās not up to him.
The serve clock was likely always going to cause Rafael Nadal some issues, and he definitely hasnāt fallen foul of it as much as was initially expected.
In other news, Jack Draper is into the third round of a Slam for the first time in his career at the US Open, and will likely break inside the worldās top 50 for the first time to boot.Ā Ā
The 20-year-old Brit is making his main draw debut at theĀ US Open andĀ came up against more experienced 22-year-old sixth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the second round.Ā But it was the younger man who looked the stronger and more battle-hardened as he dismissed the Canadian 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
āIāve always had the tennis ability, itās just been about staying fit and staying on court. Iām lucky to have amazing people around on a daily basis which helps a lot. So Iām glad to be here today.ā
Read more about what Draper had to say about his win over Auger-Aliassime.Ā
Furthermore, Nick Kyrgios feels that he is holding himself to the highest standards he ever has at the US Open given he now knows what he can do on the court.
As expected, reaching the final of Wimbledon has affected Kyrgiosā attitude towards his abilities and the level he can achieve if he is focused.
āI feel like Iām really professional right now,ā he continued. āI never thought that the Wimbledon final would make me that way. I thought it would be the other way, the reverse, almost a bit lax and a bit chilled with it. Yeah, itās stressful.ā
Read more about Kyrgios’ mentality for this year’s US Open.
And lastly, Coco Gauff made sure to pay tribute to the great Serena Williams after herself making it to the third round of the US Open for the second time in her young career.
The 18-year-old defeated Elena-Gabriela Ruse of Romania 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) in the second-day session match on Arthur Ashe Stadium before SerenaĀ took to the court to kick off the night session.
āI know she plays again tonight, so itās an honour to I guess open up the court for her. At least thatās what Iām going to say,ā she said in her on-court interview. āI donāt know if Iām going to stay [and watch] or not, depends on what time Iām going to play doubles tomorrow!ā
Read what else Gauff had to say.Ā
? Read >> Breaking tennis news
? Follow >> 24/7 LIVE scores
? Free >> Receive our legendary newsletter
?Ā Join >> Tennishead CLUB, the world’s only virtual tennis club
? Social >>Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube
? Order >> World’s best tennis magazine
? Shop >> Lowest price tennis gear from our trusted retail partner