Chinese tennis star Wu Yibing on his journey to ATP Tour
It might be years since John McEnroe was able to compete for the US Open, but ‘Superbrat’ has already demonstrated this week that he has lost none of his desire to win a tennis match in his own backyard. The New Yorker is a four-time champion at Flushing Meadows, having won the title three years on the run from 1979 to 1981 before adding another Big Apple triumph in 1984.
He was back at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre on Wednesday to compete in the Stars of the Open exhibition match to benefit Ukraine Relief. The mixed doubles contest pitted McEnroe and fellow American Jessica Pegula against Argentina’s Gabriela Sabatini and Matteo Berrettini of Italy.
With the quartet mic’d up for the match, McEnroe showed his appetite during a furious rally of volleys between the two pairs. He exchanged returns with both 53-year-old Sabatini – who won the US Open in 1990 – and Berrettini – who reached the Wimbledon final in 2021 – McEnroe eventually focused his attacks on the Italian, forcing him to block a return into the net.
“He’s still got it!” proclaimed Pegula as the crowd screamed with excitement. Berrettini tossed his racket away in humorous disgust, while McEnroe through his hands in the air, encouraging spectators to make as much noise as possible.
Perhaps the seven-time Grand Slam winner had been spurred on by the presence of his team’s lucky mascot. Before the match, teammate Pegula strolled onto the course with a dog.
The pooch, known as Ace, is part of the K9s For Warriors programme, which provides highly-trained dogs to veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma, in a bid to end veteran suicide.
Either way, there was no doubt that McEnroe was revelling at being back in the limelight as he got ready for two weeks of Grand Slam tennis in his own city.
When it comes to the serious business next week, the former US No 1 is hoping for a repeat of the Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz final that served up gripping drama at Wimbledon last month.
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Alcaraz edged a five-setter on that occasion but Djokovic has already served notice of his intention to reverse the result in New York by coming from behind to defeat the Spaniard in the best of three sets Cincinnati Open final last weekend.
“What Alcaraz has done in the last year is unbelievable,” McEnroe told journalists in New York. “He’s put himself in a position where you talk about him in the same way as Novak and Rafa [Nadal] in a way which is incredible.
“Even though in America you want to see an American break through, everyone is saying ‘oh I want to see Alcaraz play Novak’ because he wasn’t allowed to play. That was the first tournament in America he’s played in two years in the States. The whole thing was crazy. It’s a great story.
“To see the all-time great play against the young superstar is incredible. I’d love to see that match played again. The last couple of matches have all been close and incredible matches. Let’s hope it lasts.”
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