Patrick McEnroe called for federal reform of college athletics, arguing that US universities should create more opportunities for American athletes. Speaking on a television programme, he said the number of international recruits in college tennis had become a concern and described the sport as an early warning sign for wider changes in college sports.

He cited a match between leading Southeastern and Atlantic Coast conference teams in which 21 of the 24 players were foreign recruits, and said he had written an opinion piece and met US politicians to promote a bill heading to the House of Representatives. McEnroe also opposed transgender women competing in women’s sports, saying he wanted to protect opportunities for girls. On the marijuana smell reported at the US Open, he joked that it likely came from workers taking breaks nearby and said players were making too much of it; he added that he missed the smell of charcoal-grilled burgers.