Tennis : Here’s the Best, and the Worst, for the Sport in a Very Confusing 1986

OK, so that muddled mess which often goes by the name of professional tennis was just as mixed up in 1986 as it has been in previous years. There seems to be as many lawsuits in the game as there are tournaments. It’s getting to be a case of: Who’s Suing Who?

Then, there’s the Davis Cup, a soap opera in itself. Ivan Lendl doesn’t want to play for Czechoslovakia. The Czechs don’t want him. Lendl wants to play for the United States. The United States might take him, but there is some minor thing in the way--a few rules. John McEnroe, who can play for the U.S., wasn’t permitted to compete against Australia by USTA President Randy Gregson.

That came as a surprise to captain Tom Gorman. Remember the saying, “the husband is always the last to find out?” Well, now you might have an idea how Gorman felt.

The confusion over that matter is sort of how U.S. tennis officials feel about the state of the game here. Very confused. It’s getting to the point where they are no longer hyping ordinary players like Tim Mayotte, Scott Davis and Paul Annacone. The only alternative is to somehow convince the public that Lendl really is an American. Promoters tried that trick at the Masters in New York by saying Lendl was the only American in the eight-player field. Yeah, that’s the ticket.

It’s time to recognize the high points, low points and other significant or dubious achievements of 1986:

Best Match: Martina Navratilova against Steffi Graf in the U.S. Open semifinals. This match, which took two days to complete because of rain, even had players yelling at the television set in the men’s locker room. Graf, a 17-year-old from West Germany, came back to take the second set in a tiebreaker after losing the first. In the third, Graf had three match points before losing it in a tiebreaker. Navratilova isn’t ready to hand over the torch yet.

Biggest Disappointment: Graf and Navratilova’s rematch at the Slims Championship in New York. Navratilova defeated Graf, 7-6, 6-3, 6-2. Sorry folks, they can’t play matches like they did at Flushing Meadow every day.

Biggest Disappointment, II: Ivan Lendl defeats Miloslav Mecir in straight sets in the U.S. Open final. A nightmare for television.

Most Impressive Female Newcomer: Although Stephanie Rehe, a 17-year-old from Highland, Calif., turned professional at the 1985 U.S. Open--this was her first full year on the tour. Rehe, who reached a No. 11 ranking in ‘86, has defeated Pam Shriver, Carling Bassett, Zina Garrison and Gabriela Sabatini.

Most Impressive Male Newcomer: Shortly after turning pro in the summer of 1985, Mikael Pernfors caught the attention of the tennis world when he nearly upset Wimbledon champion, Boris Becker, at the U.S. Clay Courts in Indianapolis. He recaptured, and held the attention this year at the French Open. Pernfors beat Stefan Edberg, Becker and Henri Leconte before losing to Lendl in the final. Pernfors finished 1986 with two semifinal and six quarterfinal finishes.

Comeback Player of the Year: Some might argue McEnroe’s case on this one. But his fall from the top wasn’t nearly as far, and as long, as Pat Cash’s. In 1984, Cash was No. 7 in the world and had reached the semifinals at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. After missing most of 1985 with a back injury, Cash’s ranking dropped to 418. Just three weeks before the 1986 Wimbledon, Cash underwent surgery for appendicitis. He surprised everyone by reaching the semifinals.

Best Tennis Book: Passing Shots by Pam Shriver, Frank Deford and Susan Adams. A candid, interesting diary about life on the tour. The only question you have after finishing: When is Shriver going to write the sequel?

Worst Tennis Book: Lloyd on Lloyd, by Carol Thatcher and Chris and John Lloyd. How do you describe this book? Well, you can start with words like insipid, boring, self-serving and shallow. It was released before Chris and John decided to separate a second time.

Best Tennis Book for Parents: Courting Fame, by Karen Stabiner. A must for parents who are considering a professional tennis career for their child. The USTA should charge extra for junior memberships and send this book to all households.

Chris Evert Lloyd’s Toughest Opponent (Besides Martina): David Letterman, hands down. What is Letterman doing in a tennis column? Well, Lloyd made a recent appearance on late-night television and probably wished she hadn’t. Like many, she couldn’t handle Letterman’s teasing, squirming in her seat, stammering and generally behaving like a 14-year-old on Centre Court.

Best Brian Bosworth Imitation: Teen-ager Andre Agassi of Las Vegas drew some of the attention at a tournament in Stratton Mountain, Vt.--McEnroe’s comeback garnered the rest--by knocking off Mayotte and Davis. Spectators, though, spent more time discussing Agassi’s hair--bleached blond on the top and bottom and brown in the middle.

Best Continuing Saga: The life and times of John McEnroe. He wondered whether the game could survive without him. It did--coughing and wheezing and all but boring itself to death. Yes, tennis missed Mac the Brat, who spent 1986 becoming a father and husband, becoming washed-up, and then, coming back. What beckons for 1987? Another charge at Lendl and No. 1.