June 22, 1981 – There are legendary moments in sports history captured on video and then there are iconic ones that are played so much that they are forever embedded into the human brain. It happened this day at the Wimbledon where American tennis star John McEnroe set the prim and proper English tourney on its ear when he had his infamous tirade of ‘You cannot be serious’ rant in 1st round win over Tom Gullikson.
McEnroe was perturbed with a Wimbledon umpire’s line call during the match, with which he obviously disagreed with. McEnroe went on with a few more lines directed at the Ump, but with the politeness of the British umpire Edward James, eventually responded by politely announcing: “I’m going to award a point against you, Mr. McEnroe.”
The line, “You Cannot be serious,” was made famous that day and ended up being the title of a book the tennis great would write years later.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
Remembering the NFL Films Team Highlight Films of the 1970s
If you are in your 50s like me, you probably grew up watching the
Sports History On This Day: September 12
September 12, 1982 – At the US Open Men’s Tennis tournament there was a historic
Why Was “Shorty” Ray Considered an NFL Giant?
When we think of really big men who have had a positive impact on
Sports History On This Day: September 11
September 11, 1886 – We all know that the name of a ship named the
Sports History On This Day: September 10
September 10, 1918 – It was game 5 of the World Series between the Chicago
“Iron” Mike Sharpe: Embrace the Brace
On the morning of February 5, 2018 my wife slipped and fell on a
Sports History On This Day: September 9
September 9, 1960 – It was the dawn of a whole new era of professional
Sports History On This Day: September 8
September 8, 1894 – We may not remember who William K. L. Dickson is today