Whether it be from the champions stand with the US Open trophy in their hands or from the TV booth, Chris Evert and John McEnroe share perspectives few have ever had. Evert has won six US Open singles titles and McEnroe has been the champion in Flushing Meadow four times in singles and four more times in doubles.
These days, Evert and McEnroe are two of the top voices in ESPN’s tennis telecasts, and during a wide-ranging interview on Wednesday, each shared their respective thoughts and opinions on the upcoming US Open.
Evert took the lead in addressing which American woman might win her first major at the US Open, saying, “I'm going to pick Coco Gauff over Jessica [Pegula], although I have tremendous respect for Jessica and her game, and she has beaten the No. 1 player in the world. I feel like Coco just has a few more weapons that are needed.
“I see a different Coco Gauff, and I think with the new team, with Brad Gilbert on the team giving her some expert advice, as he has been one of the most accomplished coaches out there over the last 30 years, I think that has given her an edge that she didn't have before. Her attitude and I just think her confidence now has grown to the point where yes, she has been to the finals of a major, but now I firmly believe that she believes that she can win it. So she's my pick.”
McEnroe, meanwhile, was quick to heap praise on defending US Open men’s champion, Carlos Alcaraz.
“I think that the way he plays is absolutely spectacular,” McEnroe said of the Spaniard. “He's the most complete 20-year-old I've ever seen, and that includes Novak and Roger and Rafa. He seems to me like he's pretty much great at everything.”
“He's got this attitude that you dream of having as an athlete and as a player,” McEnroe continued.“Then you combine it with his athleticism. He's one of the quickest guys—he's got to be the top couple quickest guys I've ever seen on a tennis court, without a doubt. I don't even know where to start with this guy. I just pray he stays healthy.”
While both Evert and McEnroe won their US Open titles when Louis Armstrong Stadium was the tournament’s main stage, both now enjoy the unparalleled energy of matches in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Said Evert: “The best place to commentate really is Arthur Ashe [Stadium] because we have the booth right up there, overseeing not only the whole court but the whole stadium, and just the feeling of the crowds and the excitement and the electricity in the air.”
ESPN is providing exclusive coverage of the US Open for the ninth consecutive year, beginning on Monday, August 28.
