In Autumn of Career, He Turns Over New Leaf : A Maturing John McEnroe Reflects on Reaching U.S. Open Semifinals for First Time in 5 Years

Spring is busting out in the autumn of his career.

And John McEnroe, “Superbrat” just a few years ago but now the father of two young sons, is struggling to become a man for all seasons.

“When you’re young,” he said Wednesday night, “you’re not even aware of the significance of what you’re doing.”

Now, moments after dismantling David Wheaton, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4, to reach the semifinals of the U.S. Open for the first time in five years (Story, C1), McEnroe clearly was aware of what he had done. And as he has so often in the lean, mean years that marked his slide from king of the hill, McEnroe looked around to see where he stood. For the first time in a long time, though, he liked what he saw.

“You’re so young it’s hard to appreciate, and in a way it helps you win--initially. But it’s different now. The disappointment of not having done well here the last few years, and the realization I’m not going to be playing that many more years here,” he said, “has really made me appreciate the great moments more.”

Wednesday night was in many ways a vintage McEnroe performance--with one important difference. The virtuoso was undeniably in tune again--tap-tap-tap-dancing around the court, touch-touch-touch-volleying at the net, letting an opponent’s blood in the way only he can--but without the shrill accompaniment of his temper.

It was the kind of match that, barring one of McEnroe’s thermonuclear tirades, the hometown fans would have yawned through in his salad days. But it was one they were ecstatic to see McEnroe win at the advanced age of 31. Because they have seen him try to come back--again and again--and wondered why.

But this time the questions aren’t asked, as though giving voice to them might endanger the quest. Back in New York and reunited with coach Tony Palafox, who came across a prodigy at 12 and unleashed him on an unsuspecting tennis world in 1978, McEnroe is in the middle of a run that is peeling back the years.

“You have to go through the bad to get to the good,” McEnroe said. “You can’t walk out on the court, having not played for months and not giving your best for the past couple of years, and expect to suddenly just start winging winners.

“I think the fact that I put a little too much pressure on myself, initially, caused me to play worse. You have to let it come, and believe it will come. Now I can see it coming.”