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 Wimbledon Notebook McEnroe: Poor effort by players plagues men's tennis
Posted: Sunday July 05, 1998 04:48 PM
WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -- Three-time Wimbledon champion John McEnroe says the biggest problem with men's tennis today is that too many players give an inconsistent effort, even at Grand Slam events. "How can these guys who make millions of dollars a year appear to not care at Wimbledon?" McEnroe said. "It's embarrassing. I hope and pray that changes soon, so that every time a tennis player steps on the court, he feels an obligation to give 110 percent." McEnroe spoke specifically of second-ranked Marcelo Rios of Chile, who lost in the opening round and then ripped Wimbledon as "just another tournament." "Rios has had a great year," McEnroe said. "His problem is he came in here and didn't give this the respect it deserved." Men's rankings will put more emphasis on Grand Slam results beginning in 2000, a change that McEnroe favors. He also supports moving the service line closer to the net, making the serve a less dominant shot. Aces have been plentiful at Wimbledon again this year. Goran Ivanisevic got 32 in losing Sunday's final to Pete Sampras, who won his fifth title to match Bjorn Borg's mark. "It's a server's paradise," McEnroe said. "Because of the power, players don't volley as well, but they don't need to. Guys are hitting rockets. "Serving has become so big that you don't have to follow it up with a solid volley, and I think that's what people want to see. They want to see all parts of the game."
Tim for presidentTim Henman, who became the first British semifinalist at Wimbledon since 1973, is among the top candidates to become the new president of the ATP Tour Players' Council.Spain's Alex Corretja recently stepped down. Henman is on a short list of three candidates that includes American Todd Martin and Russia's Yevgeny Kafelnikov. The council represents the players interests to the ATP.
Williams sisters cash inSerena Williams, who pulled out in the third round of singles with a calf injury while trailing Spain's Virginia Ruano-Pascual, won the mixed doubles title Sunday with Max Mirnyi of Belarus.They defeated Mahesh Bhupathi of India and Mirjana Lucic of Croatia, 6-4, 6-4. The win was worth $59,900 to the 16-year-old American. Serena also picked up $22,660 for reaching the third round in singles. Sister Venus Williams, 18, won $80,000 for making the quarterfinals in singles and $31,400 for reaching the mixed doubles semifinals. The two pulled out of women's doubles -- following Serena's injury -- without playing a match. Not a bad two week's work for the teenagers.
Royal box sightingsVIPs in the royal box for the men's final Sunday included Croatian Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa and U.S. Ambassador to Britain Philip Lader. Also on hand were three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker, 1937 and 1938 champion Don Budge, singer-actress Julie Andrews and IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch.
Serve and volleyJana Novotna on winning the women's doubles with Martina Hingis after taking the singles title Saturday: "I don't think it can get any better than this next year," she said. "It felt different [walking back on the court] after last night's celebration. I did well. I should go out like that more often."Pete Sampras picked up $722,000 and runner-up Goran Ivanisevic got $361,000 for Sunday's final.
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Britain's Tim Henman is the top candidate to become president of the ATP Tour players council 