Borg protesting a point, McEnroe giving one away

Bjorn Borg won this match from John McEnroe, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 7-6 (2). In case it's not clear, Borg makes his first protest at 3-all in the second-set tiebreak. I've included the three points that followed because what McEnroe did was extraordinary.

Borg and McEnroe played this match in January 1981, after splitting five-set finals at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. It was one of the most highly anticipated matches of the Open Era.

A sellout crowd of 19,103 was in attendance at Madison Square Garden. At the time this constituted a record and was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as one of the largest crowds ever to attend a tennis match.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• tennis
• Borg
• McEnroe

[90alexcatalan]

what tournament is this ? the january tournaments are normally in australia , wtf maddison square garden !

[krosero]

@90alexcatalan This was actually the season-ending championship, now known as the ATP World Tour Finals. It was simply called the Masters back then. From 1978 to 1985 it was played in January, then went back to November/December. Madison Square Garden hosted it from '78 to '89.

[cschnei08]

This is why I love McEnroe. He was a bad-tempered SOB but he was never petty and had HUGE respect for Borg. His temper came from his competitive attitude and that was it. He would never take an unfair advantage.

[theatlantean1]

Borg never lost his cool. This umpire must have been a real "tool"; a mere "mediocryte" wanting to be heard on a big stage for once in his life. I always find it humurous when the "mediocytes" want to get in on the limelight, and since they can't do it with talent, they force their way into this kind of situation. LOL. I'm surrounded by these "mediocrytes" on a daily basis, and I tell you what, it gets taxing on the spirit. They're like "spiritual vampires".

[blueguitarblue]

First-class act Johnny Boy!

[leverwork1]

Ref was a fool, he did not know who he is dealing with, and it cost him huge, Like his Job

[PascalsWager5]

Classy stuff by McEnroe. Terrible Umpiring

[thepikachuvoltage16]

@TNO73 Only Peter Fleming ever cheered for McEnroe

[thepikachuvoltage16]

@TNO73 Connors always had the crowd on his side, especially in New York. Only Peter Fleminf

[jakemcclaintennis]

@thankyouverymuchman We just need Basil to smack this guy in the head.

[alexcharak]

why is bob odenkirk refereeing a tennis match?

[Safarianopinion]

The idea of the video is that the ball is like 5cm whitin the line and the judges say out...Who can blame Bjoern?

[MC5Rule]

Love Borg staring down the ref like Clint Eastwood, then McEnroe makes a fool of the ref. Awesome.

[TNO73]

Even though at the time McEnroe was nicknmed Super brat for a reason, but such was his respect for Borg that he did what I don't think I have seen anyone do in ANY sport.