By Randy Walker
@TennisPublisher
Part of the lore of John McEnroe and why he is so popular and famous is not just his amazing playing record but because of his famous outbursts, particularly at Wimbledon.
Undoubtedly, his most famous outburst, that is quoted most often, occurred on June 22, 1981, as documented in my book “On This Day In Tennis History” which is for sale and download as an ebook and audio book here: https://a.co/d/0iBTIHJ2
The except is below.
June 22
1981 – John McEnroe famously calls chair umpire Edward James “the pits of the world” and an “incompetent fool” while exclaiming his famous line “You cannot be serious” in his 7-6 (5), 7-5, 6-3 first-round win over Tom Gullikson on the opening day at Wimbledon. The match is highlighted by McEnroe’s verbally entertaining tirades, two point penalties and two smashed racquets. McEnroe’s most heated tantrum – featuring the famous phrases – comes with Gullikson serving at 1-1, 15-30. Tournament referee Fred Hoyles is called to the court after James slaps McEnroe with a point penalty. After McEnroe’s arguments with Hoyle go unsatisfied, Gullikson holds serve and McEnroe throws a four-letter expletive to Hoyle on the changeover, prompting another point penalty. Says Gullikson of McEnroe’s behavior, ”It has no place. Everyone’s afraid of these guys. All it would take is one default to put them in line. If it was the 120th player in the world, they would have defaulted him.”
