John McEnroe makes personal announcement on air as Nick Kyrgios embarrasses Wimbledon ace
The action shows no signs of letting up at Wimbledon 2025, which has already witnessed a string of high-profile depatures in the opening days. But it's not only those with a racket in hand grabbing the headlines.
That's after commentator John McEnroe stole attention with his on-air admission. And former finalist turned pundit Nick Kyrgios, who was cut by the BBC ahead of this year's Championships, was also back in the spotlight after "embarrassing" one title contender at SW19. Women's favourite Aryna Sabalenka is also front and centre ahead of her second-round match after scolding one spectator. And the nerves were on full display for one player who threw up just metres from the court as Express Sport
Part of being a top athlete is also being a responsible role model. And weeks after causing controversy with her post-French Open comments about Coco Gauff, the Belarusian has displayed a more responsible side in London.
Sabalenka, 27, advanced to the second round after beating Carson Branstine, and she'll go up against Marie Bouzkova on Wednesday. However, she was spotted having an exchange with one young supporter courtside following Monday's first-round victory.
Desperate to get the lowdown on what words were exchanged between the pair, one journalist asked: "There was a kid who was talking to you after the match. You said he shouldn't say something?"
"Oh, he was talking Portuguese, Brazilian," Sabalenka replied. "Little cursing stuff. I believe because the video of me cursing in practice went viral in Brazil. He said it and I replied and was like, 'Oh woah, you shouldn't be saying that.'"
Even the tennis elite aren't impervious to nerves, as illustrated by Daria Kasatkina ahead of her first-round contest. The former world No. 8 beat Emiliana Arango in straight sets to progress at SW19, but her pre-match vibe was seemingly anything but confident.
That's after Kasatkina, who was born in Russia but recently earned Australian citizenship, confessed she threw up just seconds before walking onto the court. Not that those nerves showed in her play.
"A little accident happened," she told Australian broadcaster Stan Sport. "In the corner, I vomited, just before stepping on court.
"Nothing serious, just pure nerves. That's why I said I was extra nervous than [what is] acceptable."
One who didn't enjoy their time at Wimbledon this year is Alexei Popyrin after being bounced out in the first round. The Australian was a huge favourite to beat world No. 461 Arthur Fery but ended up falling victim to an almighty upset.
Popyrin didn't enjoy the best of build-ups to Wimbledon after a string of disappointing results on grass. However, the shame of his sub-par performance at SW19 was so much that he's now intent on taking a break from the sport altogether.
"I have to not see a tennis court or a tennis racquet for a little bit," he told reporters this week. "After today's match, I just felt numb - I didn't feel sad, I didn't feel happy, I just felt numb. And that's not a feeling that I've ever had before.
"I think that just shows the fact that I understand why this result happened, because I was under-prepared and demotivated going into Wimbledon. And that's something you know that can't happen again."
While he may not be in this year's draw himself, former Wimbledon runner-up Kyrgios is still in attendance at SW19. And he made Naomi Osaka blush after word got out that he came to watch her in action.
Osaka, 27, made it through to the second round after beating Talia Gibson in straight sets. But she was somewhat mortified to hear Kyrgios turned up in her players' box after a half-hearted appeal.
"Oh he was there? I didn't hear anything," she said at her post-match press conference. "I jokingly told someone, 'Hey, I know Nick's around, maybe he wants to come to my match.'
"But I was joking...That's a little embarrassing that he was there. But yeah, I guess it was cool that he was there."
It was all in good fun, however, as she continued: "I am glad he came to my match," Osaka added. "I hope in some way maybe he felt - I wouldn't be bold enough to say 'inspired', but I hope he can relate a little bit to the things I do too."
Wimbledon great McEnroe was no stranger to stealing the spotlight as a player. But the seven-time Grand Slam champion was eager to divert attention to another while working for ESPN.
The 66-year-old was presenting coverage of the competition alongside younger brother Patrick when he diverged from the schedule. And all so he could celebrate his sibling's big day.
"Sometimes there's more important things than first-round matches at Wimbledon," said McEnroe as he cut off his brother. "It happens to be my younger brother's birthday."
"Appreciate that man, closing in on you," said McEnroe Jr, who turned 59, in response. "Nothing better than being here with you on my birthday."