Silence is golden: Mac the Mouth won’t be in Oz

Local television viewers will just have to live without the dulcet tones of American John McEnroe, who won’t be in Melbourne when the Australian Open starts on Monday.

Mac traditionally double dips at the Open, collecting hefty fees and exes from ESPN in America and the Nine Network which also pays well for his colour commentary musings.

With a thick Queens accent which is hard to miss, former player who turns 64 next month has been an opinionated fixture on Aussie screens for years.

But with ESPN not bothering to send any staff to Oz and originating all coverage from Connecticut in the US, McEnroe has lost his ride.

There was no explanation as to why he was not picked up by Nine and brought down. Still in the commentary mix is compatriot and two-time former Melbourne winner Jim Courier, another perennial voice on the box.