Under That Blonde Wig We Recognize John McEnroe

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 18th November 2013

Under That Blonde Wig We Recognize John McEnroe

epa03307513 Former US tennis great John McEnroe reacts during his match against Michael Stich of Germany 15 July 2012 in Hamburg during the 'Match of the Legends'. A total of 32 professional tennis players participate in the ATP World Tour 500 untill 22 July 2012. EPA/Angelika Warmuth |

John McEnroe really could have been serious as he donned a curly blond wig as he played in Japan for the first time since 1997 to help the nation’s top ranked player Kei Nishikori raise funds to rebuild and rejuvenate tennis in the region devastated by the earthquake and tsunami that struck on March, 11, 2011.

McEnroe took on Nishikori, 31 years his junior, but still put up a noble fight in the exhibition match staged at Tohoku, eventually losing out to the world no. 17, 1-6, 6-4, 10-7

“Considering I just got in a few days ago, my body was moving pretty well,’ McEnroe said. ‘I was able to make some good shots but he took some mercy on me.”

McEnroe took on his normal combustible persona when a baby in the 10,000 sold out crowd. “Is this a tennis match or a day-care center, what the heck is going on here?” he shouted.

But overall the man who is still the world’s most visible tennis player said he was more than happy to visit Japan and help out the people on the country’s northeastern coast.

“It’s good to try to help people through a difficult time,’ McEnroe said. “Unfortunately, disasters like this seem to be happening more and more these days.”

Nishikori, who has helped contribute to a rejuvenation of tennis in Japan in recent years, said he was impressed with the play of the winner of seven grand slam titles.

He said: “John played a lot better than I expected; I was surprised. His shots were very good. I really enjoyed playing against him and it was a great experience.”

Topics: 10sballs, Atp, John Mcenroe, Kei Nishikori, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News