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 Three Great New York Yankee Dynasties
From 1921 to 1932 The Yankees were a force to be reckoned with. The
Super Bowl XLII (New England Patriots vs. New York Giants): An Ultimate Recount of the Game
Today we have Super Bowl XLII, which was held on February 3, 2008, at
Sports History On This Day: September 5
September 5, 1906 – Many claim it was the first legal forward pass in American
Sports History On This Day: September 4
September 4, 1920 – History takes us to the racetrack of thoroughbreds. One of the
Sports History On This Day: September 3
September 3, 1908 – Prize fighter Tommy Burns was the world champion in the heavyweight
Sports History On This Day: September 2
September 2, 1946 – Talk about one of the greatest sports competitors of all time
Sports History On This Day: September 1
September 1, 1999 – It became the first in modern professional sports history. Former NHL
Sports History On This Day: August 31
August 31, 1909 – A. J. Reach Co. patented the cork-centered baseball. Previously the balls