Tennis Roundup : Chang Criticized by McEnroe for Pulling Out of Tournament

John McEnroe criticized Michael Chang for defaulting from Friday’s quarterfinal round of the $350,000 Volvo Indoor tournament at Chicago, calling on the 16-year-old to play even when he is in pain.

Chang, of Placentia, pulled out of Friday’s quarterfinal match against Horacio de la Pena of Argentina, citing tendinitis in his right leg. Thursday night, Chang upset Jimmy Connors in straight sets.

McEnroe, who lost his quarterfinal match to Brad Gilbert, 6-4, 6-3, went on his tirade after saying he owes it to the people of Chicago to not only play his best, but to play even if he is not feeling well.

“The most disappointing thing for me tonight was not playing well for the people of Chicago,” McEnroe said of his own play. “They deserve better.”

Asked if he had tendinitis when he was Chang’s age, McEnroe said:

“I didn’t know what that meant then. I never felt any pain in my body until I was 18, and that only was when people started mentioning it.”

“I’m still a firm believer in that the show must go on,” McEnroe said. “It’s not like I’m feeling my best. It’s sort of like you’re not feeling your best.”

Sixth-ranked Manuela Maleeva’s strong baseline shots enabled her to ease past ninth-ranked Zina Garrison, 6-4, 6-0, in a Euro-America’s Cup match at Auburn Hills, Mich.

The 21-year-old Bulgarian’s victory pushed Europe’s lead to 13-1 in the 47-point competition. The European team swept the first three matches of the four-day tournament Thursday night.