John McEnroe Addresses St. John’s Huddle
- Thread starter otis
- Start date
Thanks Otis. I never liked Johnny Mac but maybe I need to rethink that.
Somehow, though I think the NCAA could find some kind of violation here? I am only half kidding considering I am still waiting for some (any) kind of penalties for UNC or Louisville. These are the silly things they are bound to find some issue with.
Spocky Ramone
Well-known member
Would love to see him as an assistant in charge of "Referee Management".
Of course, he'd probably be double-T'ed before the under 16
Of course, he'd probably be double-T'ed before the under 16
TX Redman
Well-known member
Maybe is its my nostalgia rose tinted bifocals but tennis in the 1980's was awesome. Borg, McEnroe, Connors, Becker, Nastasae, Lendl, Wilander... The women's as well: Martina, Chrissie Lloyd, Steffi Graf... I remember being riveted by some of the matches / rivalries.
Although Federer / Nadal the other morning was great stuff.
MarkRedman
Well-known member
Andrew Dice Clay should have portrayed McEnroe
beast of the east
Active member
During college I worked the US Open, and was around men's players for as much as 16 hours/day. I once had a conversation with one of Mac's best friends who told me what a great and generous guy he is. He also said, pay attention to the fits. They never happened when he was winning, only when he was losing and lost. He'd throw a prolonged fit to break his oppnonent's concentration and momentum, and it was all strategic. This was in direct contract to Ilie Nastase, the original bad boy of tennis, who could throw a fit at any time.
For the record, I couldn't stand the antics, but will admit that he was a great tennis player, especially around the net, and is perhaps the best announcer in tennis.
beast of the east
Active member
The Federer Nadal match was really one for the ages, with every element of drama between two phenomenal champions. Storybook ending for the huge underdog Federer pulling off what likely will be his last Grand Slam win against one of the best players of all time.
I worked the Opens when Borg, Connors, McEnroe, Orantes, Stan Smith, Laver, Rosewall, Gerulaitis, Vilas, Ashe, Solomon, Dibbs, Nastase, Panata, Fibak, Tanner, and a host of others were top ranked players. It certainly was the Golden Age of tennis, and it seemed like every nation had a top ranked player.
In 1980 I went to live at a Boys home where everything that became popular swept the campus and everyone got into it. One of my roommates had a resemblance to Borg and carried around a Donnay tennis racket (the brand Borg used) and wore the sweatbands and occasional headband. So I reluctantly started watching tennis and it was pretty captivating with the 1980 Wimbledon being my introduction. All I knew was that McEnroe was American and from NY and I was bored and annoyed with the Borg fanboy stuff so I rooted for McEnroe. He was the original Happy Gilmore - for Tennis.
beast of the east
Active member
Leabouf is bat sh#t crazy.. I think he will do just fine
Yes I read that it was "the perfect role for him." Found this as some of the early movie promo:
![URL]](http://[URL]https://cdn.traileraddict.com/article/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Shia-LaBeouf-Borg-McEnroe.jpg[/URL])
The story goes that Borg had a horrible temper as a junior player. During one match he slammed his racket to the court and it broke. His middle class parents were so angry at him they took his rackets away and didn't let him play at all for one or two months until he learned to control himself. After that Borg became the icy exterior on the court that never showed emotions during a match (although after winning Wimbledon he would fall to his knees when the match was over).
beast of the east
Active member
Lendl had that lethal forehand, better than anyone's in tennis at the time, and had quite a run. Mac was a more complete player, and as a lefty had some advantages.
Lendl once tanked a match in the masters at msg vs. Connors to get into a more favorable draw for him in the semis. Connors was livid at the move, partly because never giving an inch to an opponent was part of connor's dna.
I think lendl devastated Mac in straight sets in the same year, partially to race home to Connecticut to catch his beloved NY Rangers on TV. Mac said something really funny in response post match, something like "God forbid if Lendl misses a Ranger game."
beast of the east
Active member
Connors was wildly.popular with the guys who worked in the clubhouse at the US Open, most of whom were hs and college kids. This was just before he became a fan favorite in ny. I realized years later that it was because Connors came off the public courts in illinois, a poor kid never comfortable among the country club set. He was always really friendly to the workers.
westchesterjoe
Active member
Beast, really enjoyed your insider comments on Tennis as it was, back in the Day. Your mentioning Connors and the classiness he presented to the Tournament Staff and Workers isn't likely know by many as Jimbo came off as ruthless on the Court. Not as much of a pain in the Ass as McInroe but, still a volatile guy.
Liked your comments about Borg too.. I remember Bud Collins , a great Tennis Announcer , saying after a Semi Final at Wimbeldon, that now Borg, the Archangel of DEATH at Center Court, would be the opponent. That was when Borg won Wimbeldon every year lik 6 times, I Think.
Federer/ Nadal was in that mode too.. Great Tennis. How old were you , if you remember Rosewall, Laver, Orantes, etc?
beast of the east
Active member
Thanks so much for yoyr comments. I was 20 and an Sju student when a friend asked me if id like a job as a security guard at the US Open. I took the job and the first day, the director of security scanned this sea of security guards outside the stadium and sent me to the lockerroom. I did as told and endorced the rules like i was guarding the President so they kept me there every day for 2 years of US open tournaments.
Orantes was coming off his prior US open sin on clay - didnt speak any english but we communicated with warm smiles and hellos. Like many tennis pkayers, a gentleman, and a terror on clay. I think he whipped Mcenroe at the open in 77 (if memory serves correctly) and Mac came back to the locker room in awe of how Orantes schooled him with different pace and topspin (open was on vkay then)
Laver was fading as a player but revered as the rocket.
Rosewall was still seeded at 42 or so.
Ashe was a soft spoken gentleman respected by all players and it had nothing to do with race and everything to do with class and intellect.
Connors would in a friendly way taunt his opposition before a big match. "You played really well so far but today I'm gonna kick your ass"
Nastase was insane on the court but a clown off it and well liked. He got along well with Connors and Borg.
Anyways lots of great stories and if i get a chance to meet you i will share some in person
http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ten...s-sex-life/ar-BBD7mby?li=BBnbfcL&ocid=DELLDHP
Not sure about Johnny Mac's accusation, but they picked a hell of a picture to use for the article. I guess the old adage "No PR is bad PR" applies
[attachment]JohnnyMac.jpg[/attachment]
Not sure about Johnny Mac's accusation, but they picked a hell of a picture to use for the article. I guess the old adage "No PR is bad PR" applies
[attachment]JohnnyMac.jpg[/attachment]