John McEnroe asks awkward Wimbledon question to Tim Henman on live TV in light-hearted exchange

John McEnroe stumped Tim Henman on live TV when he asked if French Open’s Women’s Singles finalist Maja Chwalinska should get a wildcard spot at Wimbledon.

The Pole shocked the world by making the final of the French Open only to lose to Mirra Andreeva in Paris.

And she has incredibly moved from 114 to number 21 in the world.

However, as it stands, she will still have to go through qualifying as the entry standards for Wimbledon were cut off six weeks ago.

At that point, she was too far down the rankings to be eligible for a wildcard pick.

But after a brilliant two weeks in France, the noise around Chwalinska is growing, with a wildcard pick possible.

The All England Club decide on who gets those spots, and Henman happens to sit on the board.

So, he’ll be playing a part in Chwalinska potentially getting a wildcard spot.

And on TNT’s live coverage, McEnroe posed the question to Chwalinska.

He said: “So say you’re [going to be No. 21 tomorrow], we’ll throw it out.

“So suddenly, does that mean you’re straight in Wimbledon or the cutoff was six weeks ago, so you would need a wildcard if you were choosing to play Wimbledon?”

She responded: “Yeah, exactly. It was too late, I was already No. 114 I think when there was a cut-off.”

Getty

This prompted McEnroe to directly question Henman.

“So I have just the person to talk to over here, he’s on the Wimbledon committee and I’m thinking that she would be absolutely, Tim, perfect, after what she’s accomplished here.

“A fellow left-hander, to get a wildcard, and you could be the first to say so, on TNT.”

In response, Henman looked away and pretended to leave the studio.

It was all very much good fun and nothing actually too serious.

In response, he said: “I couldn’t agree with you more, John.”

Getty

And before Chwalinska left, she made it clear that a wildcard at Wimbledon isn’t on her mind.

“Honestly, I don’t expect it [a wildcard], but yeah, I mean, I’ll see. I will treat it as a challenge.”

Wildcard Wimbledon rules

Initial wildcards for Wimbledon this year will be announced on Monday, June 15.

A wild card is given to a player that doesn’t rank high enough to qualify automatically, but the All England Club decide are worthy of automatic entry.

It states on the website that most wildcards are handed out to increase British interest or based on previous Wimbledon performances.

So, that would more than likely count against Chwalinska, even if she does have McEnroe in her corner.

But after making it to the French Open final, there will be a lot of clamour for her to get a wildcard spot.

And if she did, the Pole would have chance to make history as there has never been a Wimbledon winner in the Women’s Singles as a wildcard.