“It’s okay to not be okay, and it’s okay to ask for help” It would be a blind call to think that this quote came from a philosopher. WTA star Simone Biles, who has actively worked to improve mental health awareness, said this once, to let her peers know that it is normal to not feel okay during stressful situations. As former pro John McEnroe received an opportunity to open up about his frequent rage, he revealed how people like Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka are making things better in the current scenario.

In a recent podcast with Nick Kyrgios, tennis legend John McEnroe revealed the reasons behind his on-court rage. McEnroe explained that his outbursts were a way to hide his fear and vulnerability. He said, “If anything, I was shy. What’s better to show like fear, vulnerability, like you’d start crying on the court or anger? If that’s the choices? Yep. Now it’s different now the way people look at mental health etc. It’s not just Naomi Osaka or Simone Biles, it’s a lot of male athletes.“

John McEnroe’s temper tantrums on the tennis court are known to almost everyone in the tennis world. His explosive behavior often targeted umpires, linespeople, and even himself. Famous examples include his outcries like “You cannot be serious!” and “Answer the question, j**k!” These rages were usually triggered by either disputed calls, perceived injustices, or even his own mistakes. His behavior resulted in numerous fines and penalties, eventually becoming a part of his personality.

During the podcast, McEnroe highlighted how times have changed regarding mental health in sports. McEnroe acknowledged that modern athletes have better ways to handle mental health issues.

Osaka, for example, has spoken about her anxiety and depression, especially after withdrawing from the 2021 French Open. She said, “I want to help people feel more comfortable talking about their mental health.” Simone Biles too has opened up about her struggles with anxiety and PTSD, on her quest to highlight the importance of prioritizing mental health.

By sharing his own experiences and admitting to the progress made by current athletes like Osaka and Biles, McEnroe didn’t just add a comment but indirectly contributed to the ongoing conversation about mental health in sports. However, besides revealing the true reason behind his rage, McEnroe also took a moment to explain how some people wanted it to flourish.

John McEnroe regards himself as the guy “paid not to be calm”

John McEnroe’s anger and rage was something that could send a negative message to the youth. However, some platforms saw it as profitable and therefore wanted him to maintain these intense levels so that the drama was kept alive. During one of his interviews back in 2019, the former pro revealed a harsh reality of his career.

“The guys at American Express have to take into consideration that I’m still the guy that is paid not to be calm, so we’re going to have to try and sit down and talk this out,” he said, on being asked if he is more calm on the court these days. John McEnroe still holds a position on the courts, but slightly different from the previous ones.

He now practices pickleball, a rapidly growing racket sport played by other former pros like Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, and more. As he has now revealed the true reason behind his rage, the role of mental health awareness has become more evident.