McEnroe Hits Chang With Verbal Volley

Michael Chang’s success in the French Open galls John McEnroe, who complained Wednesday that young tennis players are “getting away with murder” when they beat the established stars.

“I’d like to start a committee of veteran players to put these others in their place,” McEnroe said.

McEnroe, 30, made his remarks at the Beckenham grass court championships as rain delayed his scheduled match. He is using the event to prepare for Wimbledon, where he will be making a bid for his fourth title.

McEnroe, citing a back injury, skipped the French Open, where Chang, 17, advanced to the semifinals with victories over Ivan Lendl and Ronald Agenor. Chang is the youngest men’s semifinalist in the tournament’s history.

It was Chang’s victory over Lendl that seemed to annoy McEnroe the most.

“It’s incredible that a teen-ager like Chang can beat the world’s No. 1 player in Paris,” said McEnroe, who reached the Wimbledon semifinals at 18 in 1977. “I take offense at these little guys coming in and winning.

“If it happens every 10 years, that’s one thing, but they’re getting away with murder. . . . The circuit’s made for 17- to 21-year-olds who have nothing on their minds except tennis. It’s not made for 30-year-olds.”

McEnroe defeated Chang in an early-round match at the French Open last year, after McEnroe criticized the teen-ager for saying he used to dream of playing--and defeating--McEnroe when he was growing up.

McEnroe said he was optimistic about his chances at Wimbledon.

“I am happy that I won it three times, but four sounds better,” he said. Aside from the 1985-86 champion, Boris Becker, and the current titleholder, Stefan Edberg, McEnroe said he cannot see anyone else winning.

“I don’t have to play Lendl or Becker, at least until the semis, and to get an opportunity to play them later on is a positive, I think,” he said.