There is no dearth of tennis stars and legends who speak their minds without worrying about consequences. However, if this was posed as a question, who would take the top spot on the list of fearless yet controversial? For most tennis fans, the name of the tennis brat is John McEnroe, and may be Martina Navratilova. But there is another name who might take the top spot, Henry Patten’s coach, Calvin Betton. And the latter Briton might even take the cake for his scathing remarks on several issues. But first, let’s unravel another unfiltered coach on the circuit!

Patten is on his way to get ready for men’s doubles finals. However, before his protege arrives at the Centre Court, the coach, Betton could be best known with his various tennis ventures. The Briton coach is active on YouTube through his channel, “The Tennis Unfiltered Podcast.” Where he shares his take on various incidents regarding player, their coaches, wins, anything and everything in tennis.

Moreover, Betton is quite active on X too, and recently he launched sharp attacks at the tournament’s organizers for their lack of equipment at night matches. He said, “It’s 2024, and it’s the most prestigious tournament in the world. There’s huge money and ranking points at stake, and consequences from those ranking points. And you’ve got matches being played in almost complete darkness. It beggars belief.”

It’s not just the Wimbledon weather that has caused troubles for the players and audience, but their lack of technology and equipment too. Yesterday’s Daniil Medvedev controversy is a prime example. How the presence of upgraded technology, similar to the one at US Open could have avoided a harsh exchange of words with the player.

Though the coach is more known for his outbursts, honest and unfiltered takes, nobody has been able to escape his view, including Emma Raducanu, Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios. But his mettle as a tennis coach also holds as Patten is all set for the upcoming final. Certainly, he has strong competitors in the former category, in McEnroe.

Patten’s coach and McEnroe’s unfilled take on Raducanu

Everyone would think that, being a Briton, one might be able to escape sharp views from Betton. However, the coach does not know what mercy is. And once shared his views on Raducanu’s frequent coach axing back in 2022, shortly after she claimed the US Open. He compared her to Man United, who has come under fire for a similar issue. “You don’t want to be just another person Raducanu has got rid of. And then you reach the point where it almost starts looking like the Manchester United job–an apparently desirable position which people are actually wary of taking on.” 

However, he is not the only person who has opinions on Raducanu’s journey through the Grand Slam. The Briton has yet to win or reach the semifinal of any major tournament since her win at the US Open. And McEnroe once had something to say about the same. “She’s won a major, which 99% of players or more can’t say, but you don’t want to be that one-hit wonder either. So this is going to be a long road back because she has to start over in a way.”

Though both expressed their concerns for the British tennis star, their words were not blunt enough to soften the blow. And we would be seeing more of Betton and McEnroe with interesting and unfiltered views.