McEnroe Starts Serving a Suspension of 42 Days

John McEnroe began serving a 42-day suspension Monday for exceeding the allowable limit of fines in a year.

However, if he refrains from playing in any professional tournament or event for 21 days, the suspension would be reduced to 21 days and terminate Jan. 5. This would allow him to compete in the $500,000 Nabisco Masters in New York Jan. 14-19.

McEnroe exceeded the $7,500 limit during the Australian Open earlier this month when he was fined on three occasions: $1,500 for verbal abuse, $1,250 for audible obscenity and $1,000 for failure to attend a post-match press conference.

The suspension was levied by the Men’s International Professional Tennis Council.