by Ethel Smith

Created on: May 21, 2007   Last Updated: August 20, 2010

Even though I am not a tennis fan, and usually do not watch Wimbledon and other such Tennis tournaments, I am from the generation which could not fail to have heard of tennis ace John McEnroe. Mr McEnroe was famous as much for his extreme bad behaviour on centre court, as much as for his exceptional tennis skills. As a young man with an almost Afro-hairstyle he often seemed petulant and childish.

Catch phrases such as 'You can't be serious' and 'The ball was in', along withhis heated arguments withumpires, made for entertaining viewing, in more ways than one. The sight of this Tennis champion throwing down his racket, and hitting objects with it, was hilarious. Often people who are great, exceptionally intelligent or champions have a temperamental streak, and he certainly did.

So a little other history about John McEnroe.

John McEnroe was born February 16th 1959, in Wiesbaden, Germany as his father was serving in the US air-force in Germany. He is a white American from Queens, New York, a Roman Catholic and a left handed tennis player. From a young age he enjoyed sports, excelling in Tennis, and began winning top tournaments. By 1970 he was ranked number one on the National Junior Circuit.

After he graduated from high school, in 1977, he was given the opportunity to play at Wimbledon, London, England. He became the youngest man ever to reach the semi-finals at Wimbledon. The rest as they is history.

Over the span of his Tennis career McEnroe won the Wimbledon singles crown three times, which ranks him high in their hall of fame.Throughout his career, as a whole, John McEnroe won 17 Grand Slam titles, 77 career single titles, and 77 doubles titles. That is some achievement.

One of his greatest rivals of the day was Boris Becker. Many fast and furious tennis competitions, of these two playing, entertained everyone thoroughly and made for great Tennis.

John McEnroe married Tatum O'Neal, but later divorced and has since remarried. Tatum is the daughter of actor Ryan O'Neal. Over the years John has had cameo roles in some films and participated in some light entertainment shows.

Much as the tantrums and tears were all part of the showman which was John McEnroe, it is a shame that for many, like me, it is the main thing he will be remembered for. As he was such a great tennis player it should have been for that.

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