‘Can You Believe This B**CH?’ – When John McEnroe Went Nasty Against Steffi Graf Right in Front of Andre Agassi at 1999 Wimbledon

In 1999, former American tennis star John McEnroe played mixed doubles at Wimbledon with German tennis legend Steffi Graf. The legendary mixed doubles duo did well and reached the semifinals. However, Graf decided walked away from her match, informing her fans that it would be her last Wimbledon. The hardest part was telling her playing partner, John McEnroe she was quitting mixed doubles, especially when they had a chance to win the title.

In Andre Agassi’s autobiography, ‘Open’, McEnroe shared his views on the sudden changes.
John McEnroe showed his anger after Graf’s withdrawal

Despite being one of the greatest players in the Open Era, Steffi Graf was marred by injuries in the last few years of her career, especially to her knees and back. Uncertain hamstrings, along with a bout of bronchitis, also hit her during the career’s finale. She started dating Andre Agassi after the 1999 French Open and got married in 2001.

McEnroe and Graf had reached the mixed doubles semi-finals before the German tennis player’s withdrawal. Graf wanted protection from injury before the women’s singles final. Agassi penned down McEnroe’s furious words as, “Can you believe this b**ch? She asks to play mixed doubles with me and I fucking do it and then we’re in the semis and she backs out?”