John McEnroe provided entertaining commentary during Jack Draper's first-round Wimbledon match, expressing bewilderment at the British player's decision to wear a hat in sweltering conditions.
"I like hats but when I played the brim would get in my eyesight and it felt like I was getting hotter, I was already hot enough to start, I didn't need to get hotter," the American tennis icon said whilst commentating for the BBC.
McEnroe humorously added: "I was ready to strangle someone in the warm-up. To each his own."
Temperatures reached 34.2 Celsius at the All England Club on what was the UK's hottest day of the year.
John McEnroe admitted wearing a hat made him 'want to strangle someone'
PA/BBC
The former world number one praised Draper's potential, highlighting his status as the tournament's fourth seed and fourth favourite to win the championship.
"Jack Draper is the fourth favourite to win this tournament. He has got himself incredibly fit. This is a good first-round opponent to play and he will hope to get off the court quickly," McEnroe said before the match.
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The American believes the 23-year-old British number one has Grand Slam-winning potential.
"He could win a major for the first time in his life, this is about dealing with the nerves. That's pressure but it's also a pretty cool feeling," McEnroe added.
Draper dominated the opening set against world number 38 Sebastian Baez, wrapping it up 6-2 in just 28 minutes.
The match prompted McEnroe to intervene when co-commentator Simon Reed suggested they were watching what felt "like a practice match."
"I don't think the All England Club will be too happy with you saying this first-round match on Court 1 is practice," McEnroe responded, prompting laughter from both commentators.
Baez ultimately retired during the third set, giving Draper a straightforward passage to the second round.
The British player's draw opened up slightly following Alexander Bublik's unexpected defeat earlier in the day.
McEnroe offered detailed analysis of Draper's physical transformation, which he believes has been crucial to the player's rise in the rankings.
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Jack Draper has high hopes of going far at Wimbledon
Reuters
"I'm most impressed with how Jack Draper is moving in the last year or so and how much of a factor that is in his rise to number four in the world," McEnroe observed.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion acknowledged the significant challenge ahead for Draper, who could potentially face Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz on his path to the title.
Despite these formidable obstacles, McEnroe remains optimistic about the British player's chances of emulating Andy Murray's Wimbledon success.
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