Tarango to McEnroe: Let’s Tango

Forget the battle of the sexes. How about the battle of the psyches?

For your consideration . . . Mac and Jeff, John McEnroe vs. Jeff Tarango.

Tarango, of Manhattan Beach, became the first ATP Tour player to publicly come forward to challenge McEnroe to a match--vowing to put up $200,000 of his own money. McEnroe, 39, caused some muted grumbling among the tour membership when he declared last month in London’s Daily Mail that he was better than any of the doubles players in the world and could beat most of the singles players on the tour on a given day.

This, coming from the frequently controversial McEnroe, struck a chord with the frequently controversial Tarango.

“I’d be willing to bet $200,000,” Tarango said.

Does he think McEnroe will take the offer seriously?

“I hope so,” Tarango said. “I could put a new wing on my house.”

Although McEnroe and his agent could not be reached for comment, his father, John McEnroe Sr., said he found it strange the challenge came through the media instead of through McEnroe’s representatives.

“It sounds like he [Tarango] was looking for publicity,” he said.

Actually, that’s part of Tarango’s plan, a sure-fire way to force the issue.

“It’s just insulting,” Tarango said of McEnroe’s assertions in the Daily Mail. “I’m ranked in the middle range. I’m ranked 70 [72nd] right now. It’s just asinine.

“I don’t think he could beat anybody in the top 100.

“I don’t think it’s very cool. He wouldn’t have liked it if Rod Laver had said after he retired, ‘Hey Johnny Mac, you [stink].’ What would he [McEnroe] have said?”

Tarango, who practiced with Pete Sampras last week, said tour players are angered by McEnroe’s comments. McEnroe also said he “fell over laughing” when he looked at the names of the players in the recent World Doubles championship at Hartford, Conn.

“A lot of guys have called in and said, ‘What’s the story?’ ” Tarango said. “He still thinks he’s the best doubles player in the world and can still beat almost anybody in the top 100.

“He said he could beat almost anybody in the top 100, so maybe he doesn’t think he could beat Pete [Sampras]. But he still managed to [tick] off Pete.”

That probably has more to do with the Davis Cup situation, as McEnroe has criticized Sampras for his lack of commitment. Sampras did not play this year and isn’t planning to play in 1999--so much for Mac’s power of persuasion.

But Sampras said he would buy a ticket to a Tarango-McEnroe match, according to Tarango.

Or maybe Sampras could coach Tarango, who last week lost to Phil King of Long Beach in the second round of the Holiday Pro Classic at the Jack Kramer Tennis Club. Patrick McEnroe could do the color commentary on TV. And why not have Bruno Rebeuh as the chair umpire? Tarango, who was defaulted at Wimbledon in 1995 for walking off the court, called Rebeuh the “most corrupt official in the game.” And his wife later slapped Rebeuh’s face--the most powerful forehand delivered that day.

As for a venue, Tarango noted that there is a certain NBA-less arena sitting at the corner of Manchester and Prairie in Inglewood.

“I think we should get it going,” he said. “Why not? There’s no NBA. Let’s have some trash-talking. Let’s have some fun.

“I’d do it Christmas Day. At the Forum. Or Madison Square Garden.”

McEnroe’s last full year on the tour was 1992. He has been an active force on the senior circuit.

“The style of play has changed,” Tarango said. “I don’t think he can get to the net anymore. And he’s not going to beat me from the baseline.

“I’m ready today. I’m ready the next day. Let’s play.”