John McEnroe’s epic Wimbledon meltdown: ‘You cannot be serious!’ | ESPN Archives

On June 22, 1981, John McEnroe had arguably his most famous on-court meltdown, shouting “You cannot be serious!” at chair umpire Edward James. McEnroe would go on to win the match and defeat his rival Bjorn Borg in the finals to be crowned the 1981 Wimbledon champion.
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[@ilovebrandnewcarpets]

Despite the poor quality of the video, the ball was CLEARLY in.

[@devpatel7154]

ilovebrandnewcarpets yeah

[@LivingLife-Fast]

It was out says a half blind pensioner with glasses

[@ericmiller254]

It would look a lot better on an older television. They could see it Just didn't use replay back then probably

[@TheJamie6666]

You cannot be serious.

[@BIGLOVE4TRUTH]

JAMIE LESTER chalk flew up!

[@juharon]

‘You cannot be serious!’ John McEnroe said calmly.

[@mattyutm4006]

Only true HP fans get that 😂

[@MartinJPR]

@@mattyutm4006 Nope. “Dumbledore said calmly” has been posted on every single meme page ever

[@fernfreeman1729]

That's why electronic lines are the best.

[@MidoseitoAkage]

Asked*

[@asa.8691]

@@mattyutm4006 yeah I don’t think it’s only a Harry Potter fan thing

[@tccandler]

Even with a 40 year old grainy footage... it is absolutely clear that McEnroe was correct on both calls. The umpire was incompetent and had an agenda. It is absolute justice that he went on to win this match in straight sets and eventually the 1981 tournament!

[@notgadot]

Nobody cares dude

[@King_K_Rool_]

​@@notgadotI do!

[@hux2000]

@@notgadot You do, otherwise you wouldn't have posted that.

[@twolak1972]

6:15 Just another BIG BABY MC ENROE MOMENT. WHAT A CRYBABY.

[@Victory1981]

The ump didn’t like him. It was clearly in, and chalk flew up.

[@suzie4211]

If you watched the mens Wimbledon final last night, you’d have seen how many times the linesman calls were disputed, and only to have hawk-eye prove the challenge correct. I feel for McEnroe’s generation of players, who had been dealt incorrect calls throughout their careers.

[@cameronlambert5185]

I agree but the point is everyone had to go through it so like even though he’s a tennis legend he shouldn’t have reacted this way

[@jaimhaas5170]

@@cameronlambert5185 passion has ways of derailing human beings.

[@sport-tr3nq]

As if any human can accurately call a ball traveling at 230 km/hr accurately all the time. Even 90% accuracy is good enough. That's why there should be hawkeye for all game but they stick to challenges, it's refusal to change with the times by not using technology

[@cockoffgewgle4993]

I feel for the umpire having to deal with that abusive little brat.

[@pellekuipers4076]

They made some bad calls too. Even Djoco and Kyrgios seemed a little confused at the end when they had to challenge half the points

[@benbrennan4953]

I love how the focus is on him being pissed off and not him being utterly correct 😂

[@2CSST2]

@bongo155 Which is why it's very important that they get it right, which is why it IS ridiculous that they called it out when it was so clearly in. Thanks for stating the obvious, Mr genius, but his point was that the most outrageous thing here is the umpire and lineman's incompetence, not McEnroe's reaction

[@dcsportsfan6391]

@bongo155 McEnroe was definitely an ass but hes still one of the greats of all time and he was still winning doubles grand slams in his early 30s

[@dcsportsfan6391]

@bongo155 I personally wouldnt put edberg and wilander above him but that's a solid list although I assume not in order

[@unowen7591]

@bongo155 Chill dude. Everyone have their own opinions.

[@brian6speed]

unowen7591 nope bongo doesnt have opinions, his opinins are truth. he is that delusional.

[@kamilmalinowski1267]

Imagine him and Kyrgios playing each other lol

[@fizzao1342]

Kamil Malina 😂

[@RutmansProductie]

I would have them screen it in a public theatre and give all attendees free popcorn.

[@MacAudio74]

No tennis would be played.

[@tykuresa22]

Let’s just hope it’s not on a Sunday night

[@MacAudio74]

Daniel Eyre Because Kyrgios will tank the match.

[@terry6639]

I believe John McEnroe was the reason for bringing Hawk-eye technology in tennis !!

[@billlozier5551]

You don't have to believe it. It's a fact. Originally introduced as the Mac-Cam in John's honor.

[@vagrante13]

I kind of wish they would remove hawk eye so we can get more McEnroe rants, LOL!

[@billlozier5551]

@@vagrante13 now there's a thought!

[@amck72]

Actually McEnroe was the reason they had to bring in technology cause back then we saw bad calls a lot.

[@billlozier5551]

@@amck72 yes McEnroe is responsible for the Hawk-eye. Originally called the "MacCam".

[@cyrilculton1181]

Johnny Mac was a phenomenal player and so entertaining to watch. Yes his temper would get in his way but, by and large, he was right when challenging a call. The McEnroe v Connors rivalry was incredible. 🎾

[@filmer25]

I don't think his temper got in his way. He somehow needed these outbursts in order to get him on the edge. It made him improve his game, that's why he was so confronting.

[@bogeythedog163]

Childish fella

[@jacktattis]

@@filmer25 I was waiting for some Aussie to lay him out/

[@jacktattis]

@@bogeythedog163 A mongrel of the first order.

[@stopandsmelltheroses104]

Commentator “My sympathies are with Mr Macenroe, if only he wouldn’t go on about it quite so much” hahahahaha

[@Nimzo1]

Offensively British

[@RyanAustinDean]

That most English thing I’ve ever heard.

[@Josh-ny4oi]

Such a pom

[@brownkemosabe]

SAVAGE

[@chuckwalker1899]

I’m crying

[@paulwhite8275]

I love how the most temperamental tennis player in his youth became the most considered, thoughtful and articulate tennis commentator.

[@ChrisRamos93]

It really shows how passionate he is about the sport. Anger issues aside lol

[@Chance-ry1hq]

Paul White 😂he was an idiot back then and he is still an idiot today. He is just a little more refined.

[@dialecticalmonist3405]

His antics on the court helped his popularity. His popularity helped get him into commentating. He had the last laugh.

[@dzanier]

i think he regrets some of his behavior.

[@maxipaz5597]

No not really, I wish they did t cart him to Australia every year, we should be promoting our own champions down under

[@coreyharvey1565]

He really played with heart and emotions every game. Win or lose

[@tasman001]

I mean, so do children. It's not THAT admirable of a trait.

[@garybates5505]

No he performed like a spoilt brat

[@a.a.7416]

And that was admirable; no one has ever played that way with such a talent ever since. No one.

[@edpoe4591]

Obvious he was there to WIN 🎾

[@adamsamuel8593]

True he wasn't a fake nice fool who tried to please the audience and media.

[@kasechris]

“ if only he wouldn’t go on about it quite so much.” - the most British thing said ever.”

[@grahamforster4070]

I was a 20 year-old spectator at this game, about 30 feet from the court. I had perfect vision at the time. McEnroe was in the right. I understood his frustration at the time.

[@jrousselle7828]

Did you interject anything to assist Mr. McEnroe?

[@grahamforster4070]

@@jrousselle7828 No. I was working as a court coverer at this Wimbledon tournament at the time. I think I might have been sacked!

[@joeshow8815]

thank you for mentioning it.

[@neinsager3236]

@@grahamforster4070 So you are a part of tennis history. How cool is that.

[@joeydodge2624]

@donald johnson you're not using it in the right context. The definition of "hindsight" is understanding of a situation only after it has happened. If you're referring to the guy who witnessed it first hand with his "perfect vision", there was no "hindsight" at that moment.

[@MORE1500]

Calls that McEnroe disputed over his career have been reexamined and in most cases, John was correct.

[@jean-bricerougeot6761]

It does not matter whether he was good or wrong ! What matters was his attitude towards unfairness and adversity. Take it as a man and move forward ! His attitude was wrong ! We are not God, we cannot control all the ins and outs of everything. Rather than focusing on something he could have never changed, he should have focused on the next point.

[@TheRealFaceyNeck]

@@jean-bricerougeot6761 I totally agree. I think it was on the line, you could see the chalk, and also, he shouldn't have thrown a tantrum. At best, it was too close to call, at worst he was flat out on the wrong side. Either way, he should've behaved himself.

[@InternetUsername]

@@jean-bricerougeot6761: Shouldn't one as well stand up for what is right and true? At some certain point, you're just allowing mistreatment, voluntarily capitulating to an unfair situation. I think challenging a human authority over inaccuracy, ignorance, or untruth is far from hubris. In fact, like you suggested, men are not infallible - the same goes for authority. Although, if you mean to say that such a challenge should be more reasonable and respectful, I agree. I disagree that any challenge in of itself is disrespectful (what lack of nuance, if this is the suggestion). _"Rather than focusing on something he could have never changed"_ How dull, chaotic, and worse the world would be if we were to take your definition of "unchangeable". We integrate systems of appeal and review for a reason - _because_ we humans are imperfect.

[@jean-bricerougeot6761]

​@@InternetUsername We are not talking about fighting for freedom, moral, values or democracy here. Let's not mix up meaningless things with meaningful ones. Moral, values and ethics are immovable, there's no arguing about that. And we have the duty to stand for those, so that the nations do not collapse. Here we are talking about an isolated event without any impact on the history of the world. Not arguing about If a player insults a referee pretending the ball is in, it's wrong for multiple reasons: - The player could be wrong, his eyes could deceive him as much as the referee's eyes. - Insulting the referee or trying to put pressure on him is bad. The referee is impartial, he does his best. He only has less than 1 second to decide whether a ball is in or out. And we all know a referee cannot go back on his words after the call has been made. Altogether, it's a waste of energy and puts the player arguing in the wrong state of mind for the rest of the match. The best players in the world very rarely discuss points with the umpire and if they do, they move on very quickly ! and that's why they are the best ! A good player is wise enough to understand a tennis match can't be perfect, there could be mistakes in favour of your opponent or in your favour.

[@bricaaron3978]

@@jean-bricerougeot6761 From my perspective, the issue is _why_ were these _blatantly erroneous_ calls being made? Multiple calls, mind you. In such a situation, one has to at least entertain the idea of (deliberate) unfairness -- it happens -- and in such a case, one not only has the right to speak up, but it's entirely understandable why one _would._ Should one make any kind of personal remarks? Of course not. But we don't always act the way we should when we're legitimately angry. While I can say that McEnroe _should_ have restrained himself verbally, I don't think that his behavior came anywhere close to approaching anything that I would consider shameful or "cringeworthy".

[@Lebby-lc9co]

I’ll never get why people say this type of behavior is embarrassing. This is the type of passion that makes great athletes great

[@davecsullivanjr]

They are the same types of people who say Djokovic is being a poor sport when he pretends to conduct the audience booing.

[@notgadot]

@@davecsullivanjr overrated djokovic is a depressed loser.

[@notgadot]

*behavioUr

[@johnwheatley5641]

Yes, passions import but self control is just as important amongst great athletes.

[@ianenrique3980]

You cannot be serious man,

[@lshaps46]

How could the serve be called out when the white chalk flew up? The referee should be given a warning, not McEnroe.

[@MedlifeCrisis]

"My sympathies are 101% with Mr McEnroe. If only he wouldn’t go on about it quite so much” 😂😂

[@mike0nabike]

Probably forgot to send his tennis ball positive thoughts.

[@sayakchoudhury9711]

So aggressively British 😅

[@stevecooksley]

John Le Mesurier couldn't have said it better himself.

[@alZiiHardstylez]

Too British.

[@js2010ish]

👌🏼💯

[@FF18Cloud]

Man would McEnroe would have loved to use hawkeye

[@CharlesDickens111]

He would break it from overuse.

[@fundhund62]

"He would be out of challenges after five minutes" (Ivan Lendl).

[@milugardeimagenysonido]

Yeah, but hawkeye would've hated it...

[@woswasdenni1914]

funfact the hawkeye is the follwup version of the "Maccam" which was named after him. the system later became the hawkeye but i would have loved to see the original name :)

[@beniteztheconman]

he would have argued with hawkeye..haha

[@christopherdavison652]

Love Mac. Never a dull moment. But he was right most of the time.

[@greatsoup2803]

He wasn’t right at all. You’re just being opposite. I’m guessing your a Republican too.

[@saxonchess3293]

@@greatsoup2803 Ah yes the "let's shoehorn politics into any topic even if it doesn't make sense" guy. There's always at least one

[@youarebeingfooled]

@@greatsoup2803 it hit the line. that is inbounds. the ref called it out. but it did hit the line, I can see it when i play the video in slow motion, you can see it when the video goes in slow motion in the replay. its obvious he was right. and he also makes a great point - if he didn't hit the line, the chalk wouldn't have shot up and spread like it did, and the judge even acknowledges that with a minblowing reply "it doesnt matter that the the chalk got spread the ball was out".

[@peterhammer6915]

Mac has always been my favourite tennis player, followed by BB and then Roger. The raw talent McEnroe had was incredible. He was one of a kind. He is also a fantastic commentator nowadays.

[@lyndonchen6288]

Still remember the rant "answer my question! The question jerk! "

[@Beechaii2]

The question JERK 😁😁😁

[@AK-ei7iy]

Did he won the game in the end?

[@tylerpark9519]

@@AK-ei7iy yes he did won the game

[@BestPodcastClips121]

Lyndon Chen trump 2020

[@craftistic82]

@Max De Santa fucking parrot fool

[@RutmansProductie]

The gasps en cries from the audience when McEnroe calls the umpire “an incompetent fool” had me in stitches

[@TheKonga88]

They all sound retarded..

[@skandakumar2457]

would a colored playa like arthur ashe be alowed to get away with such behavya.. i dont think so

[@stevesteve5785]

Had you in stitches? It’s horrible really

[@martinlutherbling424]

He should've pulled his goods out and shook them at the umpire.

[@bricaaron3978]

@@skandakumar2457 *"would a colored playa like arthur ashe be alowed to get away with such behavya.. i dont think so"* How exactly did McEnroe "get away with it"?

[@brianbailey6230]

I loved watching McEnroe play, that’s one of the highlights of my childhood growing up in the 80’s. I loved his competitive spirit and his tough attitude. And it was always entertaining, he was always good for a great sound bite like this.

[@russs3001]

Remember watching tennis back then, as well as other sports. A different era where there was a passion for the game. Today Sports has become such a business, whose main concern is how to produce more money. The passion McEnroe shows here is what sports is about and what people remember. The human aspect of what we see here is epic and reminds us of what Sports is missing today.

[@jakebradminster709]

There was so much chalk it even got in my eye just watching this.

[@bksdrew3956]

holy shit that was hilarious lmao

[@Fuzcapp]

Sure it was chalk?

[@chalkbunt81]

Jake Bradminster , Drake Marshall , There was so much chalk I got lung cancer breathing it in while watching this video 30 years later.

[@rexsexson5349]

Chalk, blow it was the 80s.

[@tomshea8382]

@@Floridacoastwriter There was so much Coke they had a fridge for it behind the umpire's chair!

[@liamg2271]

McEnroe obviously had temper issues but that ball was so clearly in it's a complete joke. The umpire was incompetent and Mac had every right to be angry.

[@BuGGyBoBerl]

its understandable that you get angry but when you cant compose yourself and start insulting and screaming, you are wrong. no matter what

[@amycrunch3812]

@@BuGGyBoBerl Finally. +1.

[@johnpatrylo3041]

Without McEnroe I wouldn’t have watch tennis at all. He made it watchable

[@BuGGyBoBerl]

@@drmorcoch9338 where have you bought yours?

[@BuGGyBoBerl]

@@drmorcoch9338 well first i didnt have one and should get one. now i have one but its pathetic. you obviously know more about it so why you dont tell me more about me?

[@georgetd8623]

If McEnroe were to be playing today, he would've been absolutely insane! His accuracy wouldn't be mistreated like that cuz there would be cameras everywhere

[@bw9505]

Mac was always my favorite tennis player as a child. Outbursts and all, lol. Say what you want but not only was he one of the greats... But, he was PURE entertainment 🤘

[@PeterBrown-mz4nv]

Yes, he was all of that and also a diva.

[@rhelyputra4680]

"You cannot be serious man! you cannot oh hai mark"

[@Gauravkoolwal]

You are a legend 😂😂😆

[@glizide79]

LEGENDARY COMMENT

[@Luca_86]

Ahahah what a story!

[@tumikgy312]

🤣😂😂y hasn't this got more likes

[@blues05]

I did naaat!

[@sleong]

Mcenroe was a legend. Not only did he go on to win this match, but the whole tournament.

[@MichaelNolan2006]

@@davis7099 like Kyrgios did today 😂

[@SniP3rHavOk]

@@MichaelNolan2006 well, kyrgios was right today tbf, tsitsipas brought it upon himself tsitsipas needs to stop having breakdowns if he can't handle the inevitable arguments, stoppage of play etc...

[@lordcroker3939]

@@MichaelNolan2006 that is the whole reason that I came to re watch this

[@DarkRoomAmbience]

Thatll show that linesman!

[@jacq4jet]

Thank you. I was just wandering who won that game.

[@markwhitman9029]

John was right when chalk flies it was on the line and good!!! He was always getting a raw deal because he was outspoken!!! At the time I thought he was a whiner but now as an old guy I am in total sympathy with him!

[@johnparton2209]

If McEnroe was playing I would watch, you knew something was going to happen, he demanded the best from himself and the officials and when he didn’t get it he went off on one, what a talent

[@Poliss95]

McEnroe was a cheat pure and simple. He deliberately put the other players off with his rants.

[@PeterBrown-mz4nv]

An annoying diva.

[@PsyMongazoid]

He was a good player but will forever be remembered for, "YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!"

[@markhudson517]

LOL “good”

[@giorgiomartinico3774]

What? Only "good", in your opinion! He's a genius...100% !!! "You cannot be serious!" 😂😂😂

[@sand9374]

Ha ha, much better than good. He was a great

[@PsyMongazoid]

@@sand9374 And will forever be remembered as the worst behaved tennis player of his time. I remember when he beat Bjorn Borg who was always solid and the most self-disciplined, quiet, player, and how disappointed I was with the world which allowed such injustice (to my young mind). For me, at the time, It was like finding out Santa wasn't real. 😁True story.

[@sand9374]

@@PsyMongazoid What!!! Santa isn't real 😭

[@raynerstuelgalid]

At that time McEnroe, with his temper and outbursts, you'd think after tennis he would find difficulty being famous. As it turned out he became such a much-loved (and knowledgeable) media person, among other non-player achievements. I am exactly his age and I am a life-long fan.

[@geoffpoole483]

A very good tennis player (both singles and doubles) and an extremely good match summariser/commentator.

[@gftyhify]

He was commentating at Wimbledon 2022. When a player challenged the umpire and they played the cgi replay McEnroe would say I wish we had them in my day

[@georgepagotelis]

In aus open 2024 during a delay they replayed it n he cringed 😬 at this but all commentators were laughing. 😂

[@smoothALOE]

“Chalk flew up!” His arms raised about, haha!

[@VinegarTom68]

"Chalk flew up ,it was clearly in"....And it was.

[@stevenjohnson7442]

Ball definitely hit the line. McEnroe, was clearly correct. I remember watching this live.

[@teufelhunden8308]

Still your word vs mine. See how that proves nothing?

[@BestPodcastClips121]

Steven Johnson I was building my empire

[@LACheesemonger]

@@teufelhunden8308 Well we know how Biden/Dems will take 'proof' over 'facts' all day long, u the same? Pls explain the physics/science of how a tennis ball that clearly caused quite the noticeable(unless u'r blind) chalk to bust up a cloud, could have been 'outside' the line when the line is made of chalk dust? Even Andy Rodick with his 140+mph serve couldn't beat physics and have his serve hit green grass and cause an 'earthquake' big enough to make the chalk fly.

[@DrLoverLover]

@Saint Grizzly hahahaha

[@ianevans9635]

Me to I remember watching the Mccinroe match live on TV and the ball was on the line and Mccinroe had every right to say YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS MAN YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS.

[@kwylie3050]

I love how everyone always talks about this incident and nobody ever mentions the fact that Mcenroe was 100% correct. I wish tennis was like this nowadays. So fun to watch

[@jules6631]

You'd be a big medvedev fan then lol

[@RenegadeShepTheSpacer]

You should watch Kyrgios.

[@sofiaplatini3273]

Yea tennis players now are bland

[@zoliviol]

Not true at all. He was correct SOMETIMES.

[@peterschroeder3087]

@@zoliviol what you talkin about? in this video he is right 100 % ... keep your hands of that crack pipe!!!!

[@burningsagemanmusic7491]

He had a wild temperment this guy

[@johni5355]

His father's sitting in the audience thinking, "Thank f***k that's no longer my problem. Let them deal with him now." You gotta love McEnroe. One of a kind. And he was right!

[@DLites151]

Doubt that's what his father was thinking.

[@whatsitcalled7643]

"I've got a headache tonight babe" *"YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!!"*

[@craftistic82]

ANSWER THE QUESTION JERK

[@augariuswilliams7671]

What's It Called 😂😂😂😂

[@Bernadette1087]

McEnroe certainly shook up the plummyness and the aghast ‘’ never have I ever” at Wimbledon. A brilliant player, and at times an entertainer. Loved watching him play

[@colinjennings3661]

The " we are not going to have a point taken away because this guys an incompetent fool" is a classic.

[@scottmcphee2076]

This brings back memories. Back in the early 80s weekly physical education classes became part of our school curriculum. They were not just about developing motor skills. Nor were they only about health and fitness, not that I understood much about this as a kid. It is said that sport builds character and teaches lessons about life. One of these lessons was about sportsmanship and how to be a gracious loser. I remember that teachers often mentioned John McEnroe's antics as an example of how not to behave.

[@Brocktoon68]

"I thought that was on the line, don't you?" "My sympathies are 101% with McEnroe there Peter." "If only he wouldn't go on about it quite so much." "I'm going to award a point against you for pissing on umps."

[@ana_singer5270]

Imagine him cooking with Gordon Ramsey, I would pay to see that show 😂😂

[@veritas2145]

Lol!

[@seferino]

Bollocks

[@martinlutherbling424]

Ramsey: "Johnny ... JOHNNY ! That service was Raw...it was RAW I TELL YOU. McEnroe: " You CANNOT BE SERIOUS ! ? " Ramsey: get OUT...GET OUT OF MY KITCHEN ! McEnroe pours a cup of salt into the specially prepared sauce as he slowly walks out of the kitchen.

[@ElTanques]

Wow

[@phxmaster9684]

@@martinlutherbling424 Underrated comment

[@Theman98765]

This is an important tournament and when you know you’re right you express it. There’s no way he’s not going to say anything knowing that if he lost that match it could’ve been through that

[@sethromines8841]

FireBlade 667 The only really frustrating thing about the situation for me is that, at that time, no amount of arguing could have gotten the point back. The wrong call was made, causing a scene only makes the whole situation worse.

[@wretchedheaded7]

Seth Romines exactly. Throwing a hissy fit is a pussy move

[@mescellaneous]

@@wretchedheaded7 are you saying he's a pussy for arguing?

[@craftistic82]

@@wretchedheaded7 no. That's not the point.

[@kevinmunday5782]

@@sethromines8841 mc enroe was actually a very nervous reserved person. when it gets too much people like that explode with emotion

[@willverran2252]

the majority of tennis freak-outs I've seen, I tend to side with the player. Tends to be the biggest game of their life, its understandable to be extremely upset if you felt a call was bad. Not to mention almost always they are still sportsman like to the competitor.

[@willverran2252]

but this call was absolute bs, if you want to tap about justified reactions, this is one

[@valeriehartman3705]

I am a French born and literally grew up learning English listening to this man. Although I am not a tennis expert (still love the sport though), I have never ceased having the most profound respect for Mr. McEnroe.

[@gutz1981]

Put an old dude who needs glasses on thick as Coke bottles who needs to adjust them when speaking closely to someone. THAT is who you choose to umpire a game?

[@harrycallahan8573]

That's Funny!

[@louzer2566]

There was so much chalk, all the coke fiends were gathering around to do a line

[@Superdog747]

😂😂

[@oldeenglishd45]

So much chalk, Robert Downey got PTSD

[@danniblechnerbookjourneymentor]

🤣🤣

[@boblangford5514]

So much chalk, Simone Biles showed up for her uneven bars routine.

[@paulhunt4690]

Never a dull moment when he was on the court!

[@stardomee]

I watched this live and still remember it as if it was yesterday

[@Vatsav11]

I’m glad it was called OUT. We wouldn’t have had this iconic moment otherwise..

[@zxr-cade2026]

John McEnroe was the most entertaining player in tennis history

[@davidhunternyc1]

Now that's a good one. I'll have to think about it but you could be right. I never liked the guy though. I was a Connors fan.

[@bauerj3398]

Yeah, I guess if you consider a grown man acting like a 3 year-old who dropped his lolly to be 'entertaining', you may be right.

[@pam0626]

True that. He brought tennis to millions of people. He took tennis, seen as an elite gentlemen’s game, and made it accessible to the masses.

[@MW-zd5gn]

No character in tennis anymore, just complete robots

[@pam0626]

@@MW-zd5gn Everything is so corporatized. Even at the youngest ages, kids know they have to behave like drones or risk losing their sponsorships, livelihoods and careers.

[@hawkinsdj99]

I remember watching this as a kid with my dad. I think i developed an attitude after watching John play tennis.

[@anthonykellman6848]

Absolutely brilliant player and a complete breath of fresh air , so desperately needed at that moment in time. Every young person watching Mac loved him for his rebellious nature and the way he backed it up with his fantastic tennis abilities.

[@lydialutz]

I had a very positive opinion of him until I watched this.

[@anthonykellman6848]

@@lydialutz The stuffy attitude from the lawn tennis association never helped as they refused to side with the player. If you noticed Mac was a very young man at the time and his frustrations were born out by the constant incorrect line decisions. Today technology is a result of those wrong line calls, in fact we can be thankful to players like Mac for protesting as it has now eradicated unjust line calls.

[@lydialutz]

@@anthonykellman6848 His frustration is definitely understandable. I was frustrated with the call too. And finding a way to protest decisions (respectfully) is important. New technology is a good thing. I see no evidence that McEnroe's approach was what sealed the deal in getting new technology for that. (Most sports have better technology to guide decisions nowadays and I think that probably would have happened with a more subdued McEnroe, too. Though his frustration is understandable and it is good we have new technologies, I find that in no way a justification for his name-calling brute disrespectful way of speaking to an official. I agree with the judge that McEnroe was verbally abusing him. I never knew this about McEnroe until I watched this video and I found it very offputting.

[@anthonykellman6848]

@@lydialutzWe can agree to disagree with the level of abuse directed towards the umpire, but at the end of the day, he'll always be remembered as the rebel with a cause by his generation.😎

[@lydialutz]

​@@anthonykellman6848 Given the majority of positive comments on this video it seems obvious you are correct. It saddens me though. Uplifting obnoxious behavior. I no longer see him as a role model.

[@Underhills]

I swear I became less flexible and more angry after watching these McEnroe meltdowns back in the day. It really had an affect on my personality. When my mother told me to clean up my room I went "you cannot be serious?!" and started waiving my arms around. I even wore a headband around the house to go with my attitude.

[@10scoach33]

Hahahaha I love it, I just hope you didn’t call her the pits of the world? Mum doesn’t deserve that!!! Lol

[@Underhills]

@@10scoach33 Well, I called her that later when I received the fine and slammed the door behind me.

[@10scoach33]

@@Underhills hahahaha. Mac is GOD!!!

[@SmoothOperator2013]

you cannot be serious?!

[@johnb6723]

Lol.

[@mjj4440]

He’s right tho

[@BuGGyBoBerl]

yeah but getting mad and insulting is fucked up no matter what

[@yoshpeters3079]

BuGGyBoBerl no it’s not it’s hilarious John McEnroe was so entertaining

[@SkiizmBeatz]

@@BuGGyBoBerl yeah well no one is perfect... pretty sad that you can’t be a human these days without someone judging another person on something the person probably does themselves at one point in there lives. Besides this is the past, can’t change it. So stop complaining

[@BuGGyBoBerl]

@@SkiizmBeatz first of all, there is a major difference between being a human and showing emotions and going completely apeshit. i mean just think yourself into the receiving end and this maniac rages at you. im well aware that mistakes happens and you can flip sometimes. this can happen and a "sorry" afterwards clears the field. HOWEVER this doesnt make these behaviour right and thats all i said. no he isnt right raging like that. also i would argue this guy got a bit too emotional couple of times and not just a few times. idc too much about it but when he loses a match due to it its his fault and he isnt "right". second, how about you stop complaining? or OP does? what kind of argument is this. a guy says he is right when he rages like that, i disagree. end of story. dont tell me to stop talking when you are doing the same

[@SkiizmBeatz]

@@BuGGyBoBerl you know what your right. Im sorry, I shouldn’t have told you to be quiet. It’s your freedom of speech, You can speak your opinions. I understand where you are coming from but just don’t get worked up over incidents that we can’t change. Yes it’s upsetting or triggering to watch but don’t get worked up about it because you will just feel more upset. Yeah it’s wrong and I understand but it’s still human. I mean I’ve gone apeshit too, plenty of times but I apologize and accept my actions. But social media creates a world where people dont let things go and judge or bully a person by sending cruel messages or death threats over an incident that happened before we were born or an incident were the person already apologised for.. I’m sorry I came out rude I realised I was judging you too, so I’m a hypocrite and I’m sorry.. Have a good day and my apologies

[@TheMoonchild1969]

How they could play with those clumsy wooden racquets is beyond me.😆

[@garyproffitt5941]

Trouble is brewing with moments like these !

[@CricketEngland]

“You can not be serious” and “They think it’s all over, it is now” have to be the two greatest sayings in sport

[@jimbo43ohara51]

Pity there is so much technology these days. We have lost the emotion and the drama.

[@murtajiz545]

@@jimbo43ohara51 not a pity at all. Today we can rely on FACT instead of best guesses. Makes it way more fair.

[@kenarthur6253]

Mac was so entertaining and talented. Also an excellent announcer these days, and still an awesome player in his golden years.

[@innosanto]

He player very beautiful tennis.

[@biggiec77]

Amen to that

[@ldj7039]

i come back to this video at least twice a year lol

[@BWater-yq3jx]

Surprising that "FFS!!" wasn't a constant part of his repertoire 😆

[@tjwash5118]

We might have seen a kinder, gentler John in the 70’s if they’d had the indisputable hawk eye line calls from the 2021 US Open

[@kakashi1300]

Highly doubt. Even the calm roger federer couldn’t hide his ire on the hawkeye.

[@davidgardner8172]

Incompetence at the highest level. I remember watching this live. John stood his ground, good for him. He was right.

[@andreasmissiroli6915]

and he was even too kind with that disgrace of umpire

[@Mike-kr5dn]

I played tennis for 15 years and some years as a pro and the ammount of time the umpires call wrong is very high. I once tried to sit in the umpire chair and man was it hard to tell if it was in especially on hard courts.

[@Patralgan]

What was the ruling? Was it corrected to his favor or was it ruled out in the end?

[@biglebowski5737]

Whatever the ball was out, I was 20 foot away. Your are incompetent.

[@firebird4269]

@@Patralgan They don't correct points in tennis, lol. It was ruled out.

[@markweber4678]

So fun to go back in time and revisit this, especially in light of Mac’s recent comments announcing Kyrios’ antics on center court. Bad boys of tennis unite! 😁

[@gailnash7676]

I loved watching this man and all his out burst, always made the match interesting 👏.

[@dingopisscreek]

he was a tiresome brat professional he may be but his attitude was not

[@drakemarshall4112]

Michael Cera should play him in a biopic it’d be gold.

[@darboboyle693]

haha good call

[@ChuckBeefOG]

Andy Samberg.

[@detective___mcnulty]

A biopic about drugs

[@marat69]

it was Shia already

[@KevinAdamFlores]

Watch Borg vs. McEnroe. Shia is almost spot on

[@HarryJohnson69]

Holy shit, I’ve seen this a dozen times and it’s only until I’ve seen the replay in slow motion that 3/4 of the ball was inside the line. Yeah, I’d be pissed too

[@obscurelyvague]

"Alex Dashkoff" but aren't the rules that if ANY part of the ball is outside the line it is foul or a fault ? ( I actually don't know that much about tennis)

[@georgerogen3884]

No that is not the rule. As long as a tiny bit of the ball is touching the line it is in.

[@nishawadhwa78i90]

@@obscurelyvague 99% out is 100% in in tennis

[@RobertLinthicum]

"who must adjudicate over something, which he never saw"

[@toptenguy1]

2019: McEnroe : *Raises index finger* Crowd *Clap - Clap - Clap* Judge "Ball is out" McEnroe: "K, Cool."

[@Gaddo_]

Ball is in*

[@occasionalfeelgood23]

"If only he wouldn't go on about it quite so much..." Haha. I wish he would have gone on even more. Priceless.

[@moomin3744]

One of the most classic clips ever. He could dine out on this for life.

[@shazanali692]

Funny how nobody will watch a single shot of tennis pre 2002,and this one moment is immortalised in the annuals of tennis forever

[@annewatkis5824]

My mother absolutely adored McEnroe. mother met McEnroe when he was a commentator. He was so kind to her.

[@garethbraint]

There was so much chalk that I had to clean my phone screen to keep watching this video

[@1sandinista]

You can't be serious!

[@cxlebgo_brxzy7063]

.

[@bigjuice7020]

Back when wooden tennis rackets were cool!😂

[@nehcrum]

@Gumshoe Beaumont Nah, there's a reason Tennis is one of the few* sports where the women draws a similar crowd as men, due to womens tennis being more entertaining due to less serve aces and longer plays. *Beach Volley doesn't count, the crowd aren't there to admire the beautiful play (but rather the beautiful players).

[@nehcrum]

@Tuco The Rat see earlier comment regarding beach volley. Also, only the ball will bounce.

[@nehcrum]

@Tuco The Rat That was the point of my comment on how it was one of the few sports where there is actually enough interest in the womens side of the sport to actually draw a significant crowd. The same crowd? No. But a match between top-10 female tennis players will draw a bigger crowd than a match between two male players were neither is ranked in the top-50.

[@scythermantis]

@Tuco The Rat Completely true; I miss Anna Kournikova; all we have now are maybe Pliskova and Azarenka (at least for my taste). But serve and volley needs to come back for tennis to be exciting again imo.

[@nehcrum]

@Tuco The Rat I didn't say two top 50 men, I said a match were neither were in the top-50. In most other sports, a final in the top womens division have a hard time matching the crowd for a normal league game for males who aren't even in the top division. Football, Hockey etc.

[@bmanz8117]

This is too funny. I remember this. To act all bad, walking around with those shorts and a racket just doesn't match up. 🤣🤣

[@Buddycoop1]

I forgot about Big Mac! I hated tennis but he always had me watching him with his funny outbursts.

[@jaycuthbert245]

Thanks for the words bro. You've just decided what I'm having got lunch for me. Thank the Lord for, big Mac haha

[@apollsa1]

McEnroe was an absolutely fair player. When he complained, he was always right

[@markdavis7397]

He said "I will not lose a point" for the outburst. He lost a point. So, he wasn't right that time.

[@1986subway]

@@markdavis7397 what a pedantic statement. You're probably really unpleasant to be around

[@ClareAmel]

@@markdavis7397 sophomoric

[@peterschroeder3087]

@@markdavis7397 you blind...keep your hands of that crack pipe!!!!

[@voice.of.reason]

@@markdavis7397 Only because of a corrupt Umpire

[@jimllfaxit]

Finally The full version. Been waiting ages to see this.

[@robertpowell7228]

Will always also remember the Not the Nine O'clock news sketch on McEnroe :' I did NOT slurp my tea! I want Dad called in'... 🤣

[@DarkForcesStudio]

These were the best tennis years we ever had. Great memories. Great characters. McEnroe was best of them all.

[@brain8484]

poor tennis with wooden bats

[@DarkForcesStudio]

@@brain8484 And it was still the best.

[@sukhmaidickoff]

@@DarkForcesStudio Not in my opinion. If people like McEnroe can´t control their temper they should just F off from the tennis court. I was a young dude when McEnroe was peaking. I effing HATED everytime he acted like a total psycho. Also destroying everything for his opponents, who also lost their concentration. He was nothing but a disrespectful FACK!

[@artlover1477]

​@@brain8484I'll take McEnroe, Gerulatis, Conners and Borg over the robots of today's tennis anyway.

[@LPCLASSICAL]

Watching at home live we had TV replays telling us it was in - so we did have sympathy and we all loved watching Mcenroe play for the tennis and also for the tantrums too. Never a dull moment.

[@propertyinvestingwithcleme3099]

Amazing that McEnroe is using a wooden racket, whilst his opponent is using fibre glass - wow!

[@noeldacosta7621]

Jeez, this seemed SO extreme back in the 80's. Compared to tennis these days this is like getting upset over someone saying, "Dash-it-all!".

[@craigallday1236]

“ chalk flew up!” Best dispute with umpire line ever

[@gladiator7731]

The only tennis player in history who as more angry he got the better he played and that's a fact. He was the Hulk of tennis.

[@geraldcarney3985]

Yeah by putting off his opponents like a true wanker. I hate any kind of cheating.

[@jojokelly4774]

Gerald Carney cheating?

[@timjergans5792]

Gerald Carney You must really hate your mother for cheating on your father then

[@geraldcarney3985]

@@timjergans5792 1.2 billion sperm and you were the fastest? 🤣

[@timjergans5792]

Gerald Carney imagine being so triggered by a comment that you write three posts. Also, are you one of those people who always laugh at their own jokes? 100% of the time, they’re socially awkward weirdos.

[@seventhsteel1415]

Funny, even though this is maybe his most famous "meltdown" he's surprisingly composed through most of it.

[@allainangcao28]

Even with grainy 80s film, the chalk indeed flew up. 😂

[@soccerplyr8]

Shirley you can't be serious!? I am serious, and don't call me shirley.....

[@Joemamahahahaha821]

What’s our vector victor

[@dado9851]

3:17 Nobody: The ballboy: 🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏻‍♂️

[@bluntsmoke9913]

1 on each side

[@LechuzaPrecoz]

I was in that match. I was 16 and McEnroe had tantrum for most of the game. I remember the crowd constantly booing him. However he won that morning. I remember that game like it was yesterday.

[@bogeythedog163]

Disgrace to his countrymen

[@Anthony-Testicali]

D block right?

[@kellicoffman8440]

I always said he argues the call all the way to the win what an awesome memory

[@kellicoffman8440]

What an awesome memory he argues all the way to the win as I always said

[@davidshepherd17]

Am 62 and this era was the best ever all part of the great entertainment. Just 130 mph serves and robots now 😳

[@funkstermak]

I told the Dr just the other day I kept thinking I was John McEnroe he said You cannot be serious!!

[@lukashelmhart6049]

Gotta love mcenroe 😂 maaan hes damn right the refs were bullshit back in the days🤦‍♂️

[@billiejean8665]

You can't love a jerk

[@fisher2536]

@@billiejean8665 you're fat

[@fisher2536]

@@cpl8857 lol

[@kevinnguyen8631]

@@cpl8857 he right though.

[@bill291212]

They’re still bad

[@TheSilkyJohnston]

Who else is here because djokovich hit that line judge? Lol

[@jkmurphy3]

Mac looks like hes been hitting the sauce a few many times in the Djork interview. But he was there to be the bad guy again. Clearly, hitting the judge was an accident. I think he thought she was the ball-boy. And she overreacted BIGTIME. Flop. The whole thing might have been scripted tho. Well hafta see who wins this year and run the numbers.

[@jasonjones-vs4hb]

You got me lol

[@arifafifuddin6802]

hahaha me !

[@clintjohnson2245]

@@jkmurphy3 whether he ment it or not don't matter- it shouldn't have happened. The game was over and she dosnt need to be watching him in case he did what he did. Djockovich is just a new and improved ivan lendl- gets the job done but no style unlike roger or rafa.

[@SeclipseR]

Here 🖐🖐

[@GradyElla]

Wooden rackets, gut strings, hard courts with chalk on the lines! I remember this era. I had hair back then!

[@henrik5284]

You can just see from McEnroe's body language that he's not kidding around - he believes 100% that he's right and cannot for the world understand how the chair umpire can possibly think differently 😊 And clearly in that moment he feels "the whole world is against him" and that he's being incredibly unfairly treated!

[@MrPhins]

In 1981, I was 17 years old and on the varsity tennis team. McEnroe was my idol and I even used the Dunlop Maxply Fort he used. Unfortunately, I also had his temperament and while that behavior helped motivate McEnroe, it didn't make me play better and just made me a huge ahole to everyone around me. Thankfully, I grew out of that petulant, bratty phase. However, my tennis is still no better for it.