‘Couldn’t Grab’ – John McEnroe Mocks Own Basketball Skills While Remembering NY Knicks on French Open Broadcast

John McEnroe made a hilarious quip about his own basketball skills as the New York Knicks fan commentated on Day 1 of the 2026 French Open.

John McEnroe is a passionate New York Knicks fan and has been a long-time supporter of the NBA franchise. The tennis legend reminisced about the Knicks’ dominance in the 1970s and 1990s while making a hilarious quip about his own basketball skills.

PFSN Wimbledon Simulator
Predict every match of the 2026 Wimbledon Tournament with our interactive tennis predictor—featuring all players and PFSN's exclusive metrics.

John McEnroe Makes Hilarious Remark About His Dunking Skills

McEnroe is regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, having won 7 Grand Slam titles and 77 career titles. The American also retains a passionate interest in basketball and is a huge New York Knicks fan.

During “The Mac Zone” watchalong of the opening day of the French Open alongside his brother, Patrick McEnroe, the 67-year-old spoke about the Knicks’ dominant era in the early 1970s, when they won two NBA titles.

McEnroe also spoke about his disappointment at the Knicks’ failure to win the NBA Championship in the 1990s, especially in the year Michael Jordan took a break from the sport to try out baseball.

“The Knicks won two titles before I was 14. So my thinking was, ‘Okay, it’s not going to happen all the time. It’s going to happen somewhat regularly. In my humble estimation, the greatest city in the world. So, 53 years later, the year Jordan didn’t play they got to the Finals. I saw John Stockton, I was like, ‘Why did you have to keep shooting? Give it to Patrick Ewing,’” he said.

As the show’s producer put a mock-up image of McEnroe dunking on the screen, he made a hilarious dig about his own basketball skills during his high school days.

“I could dunk in high school… a softball. I couldn’t grab a basketball,” he added.

The Knicks are currently on a dominant run in the NBA Playoffs, having won their last 10 games. They are one win away against the Cleveland Cavaliers from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.

MORE: ‘Fantastic’ – Coco Gauff, Andre Agassi’s Daughter Jaz, and Others React to Emma Navarro’s Strasbourg Win

McEnroe has often been spotted sitting courtside at Madison Square Garden over the years, and will be keen to cheer the Knicks on to the NBA Championship this year.

Meanwhile, McEnroe has been working as a commentator since retiring and often serves as an analyst at Grand Slam tournaments. The four-time US Open champion is a central figure in TNT Sports’ coverage of the 2026 French Open in the United States, with “The Mac Zone,” which aims to deliver interactive commentary from Stade Roland Garros.

More Tennis Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

More Tennis Articles

Alexandra Eala Explains Why She Parted Ways With Venus Williams at DC Open – ‘I Don’t Have the Capacity Yet’

Alexandra Eala reveals the reason behind the unexpected end of her doubles partnership with Venus Williams at the Mubadala DC Open.

Ben Shelton Addresses Montréal Fiasco After Jannik Sinner Snub – ‘How’s the Guy Going To Play Every Tournament?’

Ben Shelton has made his position crystal clear after Jannik Sinner's decision not to compete at the Masters 1000 event in Montréal.

‘They Don’t Seem To Maintain That Level’ – Venus Williams’ Strong Reaction to Serena Williams’ Exit Against 20-Year-Old Emerges

Venus Williams described Serena Williams' exit against a young opponent as "unlucky" while speaking about her comeback at the DC Open.