JOIN USUS Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe, John's younger brother, went with world number one and holder Roger Federer, casting a sympathy vote as a new father of twins himself in harmony with the Swiss champion.
The McEnroes shared their views in a conference call on Wednesday that announced their broadcast booth partnership for ESPN telecasts from Flushing Meadows, where the US Open starts on August 31.
John McEnroe said Federer was due for a letdown after a triumphant return to world number one in which he leapfrogged Rafael Nadal after wins at the French Open and Wimbledon gave him a record 15 grand slam singles titles.
"I'm not picking him to win the Open," said McEnroe, a four-times winner of the US title.
"Only because he's done so much already. Unexpectedly winning the French and then winning Wimbledon and breaking the record and doing so in the manner he did against Roddick," he said about their five-set marathon at the All England Club.
"You would think that of any human being in this situation, even Roger," he said about the letdown factor.