"I asked John McEnroe if he wanted to back up his big mouth, he didn't want to" - When Todd Larkham's brother challenged American to fist fight 

Former tennis pro Todd Larkham's older brother and coach, Brent, once challenged John McEnroe to a fistfight. The incident occurred after the American made controversial remarks about Todd during the 2003 Australian Open.

McEnroe took on a commentary role during the Melbourne Slam that year and ridiculed Todd on national television, calling his second-round 6-1, 6-0, 6-1 defeat to his compatriot Lleyton Hewitt "pitiful." He also claimed that the match was not worthy of being played on Center Court.

McEnroe's comments reached Brent before Todd, prompting the older Aussie to take matters into his own hands. Brent told the Sunday Herald Sun newspaper that he confronted the seven-time Grand Slam champion and challenged him to a fistfight in the parking lot, which he refused.

"Todd didn't know anything about it but I went looking for [John] McEnroe, found him and told him I thought it was uncalled for," Brent Larkham said.

"I asked him if he wanted to back up his big mouth with a bit of action out in the car park but he didn't want to and the last time I saw him he was leaving the changing rooms with a very short skirt on. He didn’t have a comeback. He just stood there like a little schoolgirl getting told off," he added.

Brent continued:

"He wouldn’t justify what he said, other than to say he gets paid to do a job and that he calls it the way he sees it. What he said on TV, if he said that on the street he would get his head knocked off."

"It was just a lack of respect. The way he commentates shows a lack of respect for everybody ...if you’re not in the top 20, you can’t play, according to him," he added.

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John McEnroe once defended his controversial remarks during tennis commentary

Facing criticism for his controversial comments is nothing new for John McEnroe. However, he raised eyebrows worldwide when he stated in an old interview that women should not be commentating on men's tennis.

The American added that he didn’t think women knew much about the men’s game, and vice versa.

"I don't know any women who know the men's game. At the same time, I'm not sure men can really know the women's game. I mean, how would they know how women are feeling at a certain time of the month?" John McEnroe said (via New York Post).

Dismay over McEnroe's commentary during tennis matches has only increased over the years, with him making headlines at nearly every tournament.