John McEnroe tells Wimbledon to implement strict ban on all finalists

John McEnroe stated his frustration as Wimbledon women's finalists Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova prepared to walk out onto Centre Court on Saturday and called for a ban to be implemented. The pair were both playing in their first SW19 final and appeared to be taking in the surroundings before competing in the showpiece event.

However, McEnroe, who had joined the BBC's coverage before heading to commentary, was not impressed with the players as he accused them of not truly enjoying the stage they were about to enter. He noticed both players had been wearing some form of headphones to listen to music before walking out.

Anisimova was wearing airpods in the tunnel, though she did appear to take them out before walking onto the grass, while Swiatek had headphones on. This did not sit well with McEnroe, who called for a blanket ban on headphones before finals take place.

"They shouldn't allow them to wear airpods or headphones because you have got to get them to enjoy this instead of playing some music," McEnroe fumed. "Come on now ladies!"

Many players opt to use them to help calm their nerves and not let the pressure of the situation overwhelm them. Swiatek has previously claimed that she listens to Guns N' Roses, and Led Zeppelin to help get herself ready for the heat of battle.

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He was later mocked by host Clare Balding and fellow pundit Tracy Austin over his own ban from Wimbledon.

The American was refused honorary membership to the All England Club after snubbing the Wimbledon chiefs' Champion's Dinner in order to party with a rock band.

McEnroe controversially opted to skip the annual Champion's Dinner on the Saturday night following his 1981 victory, which was at the famous Savoy Hotel.

As such, he was denied membership. He later recalled: "A week later they called my parents to tell me I was not going to be granted membership at the club. Big f***ing deal."

Wearing headphones and, according to McEnroe, not taking in the atmosphere, did not seem to hamper Swiatek's performance in the early stages.

She raced into a 6-0 first-set lead in what was a complete demolition job, claiming the first bagel at a Wimbledon women's final since Garbine Muguruza defeated Venus Williams 7-5 6-0 in 2017.

Five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek had traditionally struggled on grass courts, claiming four titles at the French Open and one at the US Open, and had not won a title for a year since entering the All England Club.