Tennis is a sport that requires sheer attention and focus. The slightest of errors can make a player lose crucial points, which can eventually reflect the overall result of the match. However, there are moments when the same thing has happened which has led to frustrations from the players. One such example is the case of John McEnroe.

One legend of the game, known to dominate the courts, was a victim of an in-match distraction. This evinced his frustration and was even furious at the chair umpire for the same. But what was the incident that led to this?

Female spectator abuses John McEnroe after he asks her to be quiet

During his match at the 1990 US Open, furious John McEnroe went to the umpire and, in a very uncharacteristically polite manner, asked the umpire to quiet down the female spectator, sitting in the front row during his match.

He complained that she was yelling while he was putting in his serve, which led to distractions and he lost his point. “She’s yelling right in the middle of my serve”, said McEnroe to the chair umpire.

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Just after he finished his talks with the umpire, he went straight to the woman and berated her from the sidelines. As McEnroe turned his head away and was walking to continue his match, all eyes were on the woman in question. The woman did not shy away from showing her frustration and called McEnroe an ‘a**hole*. 

However, this was not the only argument that McEnroe had ever been in. Throughout his career, he had been a very controversial man. There are multiple instances when the former American player has been on center stage.

McEnroe has been involved in multiple controversies throughout his career

During his illustrious career, he’s been into many heated arguments. Not only during his playing time, but after he retired. He did not stop. When he was at his topmost form, he was in total ego. Once, he faced Brad Gilbert, whom he suggested that he should retire from the sport as he did not deserve to play McEnroe. However, the result of the match was in Gilbert’s favor post which, McEnroe announced his retirement.

Another instance involves him slamming racist comments at the linesman and umpires at a game against Boris Becker. When he didn’t like the call of a black linesman, McEnroe yelled, “I didn’t know they had black Germans”. And when an American spectator yelled “You can’t trust a frog” at a French umpire, McEnroe replied, “You’d better believe it”.

Thus, McEnroe’s character has been at the center stage. Be it the spectator’s case or the racist comments, no one has escaped the wrath of McEnroe. But, should this be allowed in tennis? What are your views on this? Let us know in the comments below.

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