McEnroe Rips Lendl, on and Off the Court

John McEnroe, ever the craftsman, carefully laid the groundwork at the end of an exhibition match at the Forum last January.

Mac, on the subject of Ivan Lendl:

“Lendl’s been on a roll. There’s no way that will continue. He’s just been building himself up for a fall.”

Monday night, McEnroe defeated Lendl, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, in the Michelin Tennis Challenge at the Forum before 12,284. Then, before a small group of reporters, he delivered a few more shots.

Without prompting, McEnroe delivered his view on the state of affairs between him and Lendl.

“It’s getting to him,” McEnroe said. “The pressure of being No. 1. He’s been so incredibly disciplined, he needs to be like that to play at that level, and I think it’s going to get worse.”

McEnroe paused and smiled.

“And I’d like to be there when it happens. . . . I’m waiting for it.”

McEnroe doesn’t believe Lendl carries himself like a champion off the court. McEnroe, now No. 11 in the world, previously was in the top three since 1978.

“He owes it to people to improve the sport,” McEnroe said. “He owes it to the public and the players by being a champion. . . . The game is in a critical stage right now.

“We don’t deal with each other off the court. Do I admire him, no. I respect what he did to be the best and that’s all. . . . I don’t like the way he’s treated me. Champions shouldn’t be treated that way, especially the way he’s treated me since he’s been No. 1. He should know what I’m talking about.”

Does Lendl know?

Appropriately, Lendl was given the chance to defend himself. Or at least elaborate on McEnroe’s views.

“Maybe he doesn’t like it if someone hits good shots,” Lendl said, smiling.”

Lendl claimed he didn’t know what McEnroe was talking about: “I have no idea.”

Is it true the two players don’t deal with one another off the court?

“I prefer not to deal with him,” Lendl said. “I don’t think he’s worth it.”

And that was that. Lendl was visibly tired in the interview room and on the court. He lost to Miloslav Mecir for the first time, falling in straight sets in the final of the International Players Championships Sunday in Key Biscayne, Fla.

His luck didn’t improve Monday, either. Lendl took the court about 8 p.m., just three hours after he arrived in Los Angeles from Florida. One small problem: Lendl’s bags, which included his tennis rackets, failed to follow suit.

Notes

In the preliminary match, Eliot Teltscher defeated Paul Annacone, 7-6, 6-3. Teltscher is ranked No. 46 in the world, while Annacone is No. 47. Annacone, once ranked as high as 12, has found more success in doubles lately. He and Christo van Rensburg won the doubles title at the International Players Championships.