Tennis-McEnroe stands by Raducanu comments, lauds her US Open triumph

FILE PHOTO: Mar 2, 2020; New York, New York, USA; Former professional tennis player John McEnroe attends the game between the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo

(Reuters) - John McEnroe was met with a backlash after his comments about Emma Raducanu when she retired from Wimbledon in July but the American said he was "very supportive" of her at the time and praised the Briton for her stunning U.S. Open victory.

Making her major debut, Raducanu retired from her last-16 Wimbledon match due to breathing difficulties, while McEnroe, commentating on the match for the BBC, said the occasion appeared to get "a little bit too much" for her.