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
How Would You Rank the Best NFL Teams of the 1970s?
Many would argue the NFL during the 1970s was the best era in league
Sports History On This Day: May 23
May 23, 1922 – Boxer Gene Tunney suffered his only professional defeat in a 15-round
When George Halas Went To War; What Happened to the Chicago Bears?
George Halas, the founder and also coach of the Chicago Bears for many decades,
The Celtic’s Final Stand: Story of the 1969 NBA Finals
The decade of the 1960s in the NBA belonged to the Boston Celtics. In
Sports History On This Day: May 22
May 22, 1884 – Pitcher Hugh Daily struck out 13 hitters. That may not sound
Sports History On This Day: May 21
May 21, 1930 – This story is pretty incredible! New Yankees legend Babe Ruth hit three Home
Sports History On This Day: May 20
May 20, 1897 – At just the second-ever playing of the British Open Men’s Golf, an
Sports History On This Day: May 19
May 19, 1973 – Riding perhaps the most famous racehorse of all time, Secretariat, jockey Ron