Controversial presenter Piers Morgan has been slammed for criticising young tennis player Emma Raducau.
He started the debate by backing commentator John McEnroe who came under fire after saying the 18-year-old found playing in the last 16 of Wimbledon “a little too much” after she retired from Monday's match on medical grounds.
The three-times men’s champion was criticised by Raducanu’s opponent, Ajla Tomljanovic, as well as by doctors on social media, after suggesting the young British player had not been able to handle the occasion.
On Twitter on Tuesday, Piers Morgan waded into the debate, saying: "McEnroe told the truth. Ms Raducuna’s a talented player but couldn’t handle the pressure & quit when she was losing badly. Not ‘brave’, just a shame. If I were her, I’d tell my fans to stop abusing McEnroe, & seek his advice on how to toughen up & become a champion like he was."
It resulted in a backlash with one calling him a "muppet", and others pointing out that he stormed off the Good Morning Britain show during a debate with a colleague about Harry and Meghan's Oprah interview.
One said: "Just curious, how much mental strength and resilience did you show having a hissy fit and walking off set? And you're like what 3 times her age? Glass Houses etc."
Another said: "She was wrongly put on last to appease the TV. An 18 year old in her first Wimbledon should have been treated with care, she wasn't."
Sports presenter Gary Lineker tweeted a picture of the presenter storming off set, and said: "Happens to the best of us, even those that aren’t suffering from a possible injury or illness."
Despite the criticism Morgan went on to say: "Boris Becker won Wimbledon at 17….. by showing incredible mental strength & resilience in early rounds. It’s what you need to be a sporting champion."
And added: "I was wrong to walk off which is why I came back after 10 mins & finished the show. That’s what mental resilience is all about - overcoming temporary moments of weakness.
"Mental strength and resilience are not dirty words. They’re good things that need to be taught, nurtured, encouraged & celebrated from school onwards. This would be immeasurably easier if so many high profile people stopped playing the victim."
