LIVE
...

Follow us on

News

The biggest fine John McEnroe received which saw him suspended for two months

Photo by Robert Riger/Getty Images
Photo by Robert Riger/Getty Images
Follow us on Google Discover

Certain players on the ATP Tour are well known for their behavior on the court, often finding themselves getting fined for their actions.

It’s fairly common for tennis fans to see the stars of the ATP Tour go overboard and get themselves into trouble.

Smashing rackets and verbally abusing umpires often see players fined or penalized, much to their annoyance.

One of tennis’ most controversial stars, Nick Kyrgios, has often been criticized for his behavior, as he gets involved in arguments on a somewhat regular basis.

Day Ten: The Championships - Wimbledon 2022
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images

This year also saw one of the biggest penalties in recent years, as Frances Tiafoe was fined $120,000 for his behavior at the Shanghai Masters.

Kyrgios and Tiafoe may complain to officials more than their current counterparts, but what they say pales in comparison to what fans used to see from the aptly nicknamed ‘SuperBrat’, back in the 1980s.

1987 US Open: When John McEnroe was fined $17,500 and suspended for two months

In the third round of the 1987 US Open, John McEnroe found himself up against Yugoslavian star Slobodan Zivojinovic.

Four times a champion at the event, McEnroe didn’t have things all his own way in the match, as things quickly turned sour after he won the first set.

Unhappy at calls made by umpire Richard Ings, the American smashed his racket before shouting out several verbal obscenities, which saw him receive a point penalty.

His verbal tirade towards the official continued as he expressed his displeasure towards his decision making.

John McEnroe Choking Himself at U.S. Open
(Original Caption) 9/5/1987-New York, New York- John McEnroe places a choke hold on himself after losing a game during a match against Yugoslavian Slobodan Zivojinovic at Louis Armstrong Stadium 9/5. McEnroe defeated Slobodan: 6-4, 5-7, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3.

“Are you trying to set a Guinness Book of World Records to screw me?” said McEnroe.

“You can’t see a thing, that was set point.

“I should have won the set, 6-3.

“What match are you watching?”

Infuriated, McEnroe couldn’t help himself from getting into more trouble as he made a nasty remark to a courtside sound technician.

“Do me a favor and stick that mic up your…” he said.

John McEnroe v Tom Gullikson, first round match at Wimbledon on Court Number One, Monday 22nd June 1981
Photo by Mike Maloney, Monte Fresco/Mirrorpix/Getty Images

The now 65-year-old lost the second and third sets to Zivojinovic before he regained composure to win in five.

With the controversy behind him, McEnroe then won his fourth round matchup against Ecuador’s Andres Gomez to book his place in the quarter-finals.

That would, however, prove to be as far as he would go, as McEnroe lost to the eventual champion Ivan Lendl.

The American exited the tournament, but not before he provided fans with one of the best shots the US Open has ever seen.

Following the conclusion of the US Open, McEnroe was fined $17,500 for his actions during his win over Zivojinovic, and was hit with a 60 day suspension.

Did John McEnroe win another Grand Slam after his suspension?

Between 1979 and 1984, McEnroe won seven Major titles as he became the dominant player on the ATP Tour.

Following his 1987 suspension, the American never quite reached those heights again, as he failed to add to his Grand Slam tally.

TournamentLost inOpponent
1989 – Australian OpenQFIvan Lendl
1989 – WimbledonSFStefan Edberg
1990 – US OpenSFPete Sampras
1992 – Australian OpenQFWayne Ferreira
1992 – WimbledonSFAndre Agassi
John McEnroe’s best Grand Slam results following his suspension

The 65-year-old never returned to a Grand Slam final, despite reaching the last four on three occasions.

He did, however, pick up two further Major titles in doubles, as he won the 1989 US Open alongside Mark Woodforde, before winning Wimbledon with Michael Stich three years later.

1992 Wimbledon Championships – Men's Doubles
Photo by Chris Cole/Allsport/Getty Images

McEnroe may not have added to his seven singles titles, but his legacy in the sport remains untouched, and whether it be because of his on-court talent, outbursts, or side-line commentary, tennis fans won’t forget him in a hurry.