TENNIS / JULIE CART : Competitive Memories Will Never Go Away

Athletes speak of “muscle memory,” a reflexive movement achieved by repetition and practice. But what of other aspects of competition? Does adrenaline always know when to surge? Will confidence remember to play its part?

Four somewhat retired tennis players--Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg and Guillermo Vilas--maintain that their competitive instincts are intact.

The players’ competitive memories will be aroused at a four-man tournament beginning Friday at the Pebble Beach Tennis Center. The format of “The Challenge” strives to bring to mind legendary matches between tennis’ most tenacious competitors.

Connors will play Vilas on Friday, Borg will play McEnroe on Saturday, then the winners will play Sunday on clay courts that will offer longer rallies and more breathing room for the older players, who have won a combined 30 Grand Slam titles.

In a recent conference call, the players indicated that their memories of playing one another have not dimmed, and offered minute details of matches won or lost 20 years ago. The pain of a loss, it seemed, was still fresh.

Said Vilas, “Once you put us all together in one court, we are not going to be playing cards. We grew up together. We are going to be enemies once again on the court. If they put us together again for one chance, we are going to use it. We like it. It’s in our blood.”

Even the usually restrained Borg crowed about the prospects of playing McEnroe on clay, a surface on which they have never met.

“He’s going to be my pigeon,” Borg said.

The event is not part of Connors’ Champions Tour for players 35 and over, which Connors has dominated for the two years of its existence. All four players stressed that even though there’s little more substantial at stake than prize money, they all always want to win for pride’s sake. Ego memory, perhaps, to go with muscle memory.

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Arthur Ashe is gone, but his wisdom lives on. The most recent testament to his insight on tennis is a recently published book, “Arthur Ashe on Tennis,” written with longtime collaborator Alex McNab.

Publication was delayed until after Ashe finished his memoir, but don’t expect stale recitations of “What it was like when we played in the old days.” The book, which offers instruction, advice and observations, is typically Ashe--hard-hitting and frank, wise and witty.

Especially interesting are his views of current and former players. A sampling:

Michael Chang: “While Chang is often at a disadvantage because of his size, he makes up for it with his mind. He is one of the smartest players I have ever seen. He goes on court with a game plan designed to use his strengths, such as his speed and his lateral quickness, against his opponent’s weaknesses. He competes hard. He always is alert to the ball and the psychological flow of the match. You can see his mind at work when you watch him.”

McEnroe: “Everybody could plainly see his genius. But after a while, you came to expect some blowup at the wrong time. And the problem with the blowup is this: If you are a real tennis follower, it disrupts the continuity of your enjoyment. . . . Finally, let me reiterate that, in terms of tennis talent, I have never seen anyone better than John.”

Steffi Graf: “Graf’s forehand and her speed are her big weapons. She also has a champion’s drive, discipline, and desire, ingredients that enable her to keep winning even though she has achieved so much already.”

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Tennis Notes

Players on the women’s tour keep saying how much they like the Toshiba Tennis Classic at La Costa and their annual attendance seems to prove it. This year’s tournament, to be held July 29-Aug. 6 at the La Costa Resort and Spa, will feature eight of the top 10 players. All of the current top five will be there: Steffi Graf, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, Conchita Martinez, Mary Pierce and Jana Novotna.

Venus Williams, the 14-year-old who made her professional debut last October, says she will play in three WTA events this year. Williams received wild-card entries into the Acura Classic at Manhattan Beach on Aug. 7-13 and tournaments in Toronto and Oakland. Williams, who will turn 15 next month, said her father forbade her from entering the tournament she really wanted to play in, the U.S. Open.

The doubles team of Ken Flach and Robert Seguso, which combined for 27 tour titles, has reconstituted itself. Flach and Seguso won their first doubles match in nearly four years at Atlanta last week. . . . Pepperdine is host of the NCAA women’s tournament, held at the school’s newly renovated Ralphs-Straus Tennis Center. The team portion of the event will run through Wednesday and the individual competition in doubles and singles will be played Wednesday through Sunday.