John McEnroe has never been one to sugarcoat his opinions, and during this year's French Open coverage, he turned his sharp tongue toward pickleball. The seven-time Grand Slam champion didn't just criticize the sport — he went after the players, the sound, and the whole trend.
While hosting The MacZone alongside his brother Patrick at Roland Garros, McEnroe introduced former tennis star Genie Bouchard with a pointed jab. She's one of several pros who have dabbled in pickleball after stepping away from tennis. McEnroe remarked, “She leaves the sport to play that damn stupid pickleball.”
Bouchard fired back, noting that McEnroe himself has participated in a few high-profile pickleball exhibitions alongside legends like Andre Agassi and Maria Sharapova. But that didn't soften his stance one bit.
“I played two weekends and they paid me more money for that than I got paid for tennis,” McEnroe admitted. “And I was playing tennis players, so that's a little different than playing some pickleball people.”
The distinction, McEnroe made clear, is that his pickleball matches were essentially tennis reunions — not genuine pickleball competitions. He's not impressed by the sport's growing popularity, especially when it lures talent away from the tennis court.
The sound that drives McEnroe crazy
Beyond the players, McEnroe zeroed in on what he sees as pickleball's biggest flaw: the noise. “The sound of the plastic ball – you know how when you hit a tennis ball it sounds awesome? But when you hit a pickleball, [it's not],” he said. “Personally, I think it's a big negative.”
It's a complaint that resonates with many who live near pickleball courts. The constant pop-pop-pop of the perforated plastic ball has sparked noise complaints in communities across the country. McEnroe's criticism echoes those frustrations, adding his voice to a growing chorus.
The pickleball community might bristle at these remarks, but McEnroe doesn't seem concerned about winning any fans there. His comments come during a French Open that's already seen its share of drama, including a misogynistic rant that got a men's player fined and a reporter slammed for a hypocritical question to Aryna Sabalenka.
For all his criticism, McEnroe's honesty is part of what makes him a beloved figure in tennis. Whether you agree with him or not, he's never afraid to speak his mind — even if it means taking on a sport that's exploded in popularity. As he continues covering the French Open alongside his brother, expect more unfiltered takes from the man who once made “You cannot be serious!” a household phrase.
