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
Sports History On This Day: March 26
March 26, 1937 – Legendary New York Yankees slugger Joe DiMaggio, in just his second
Sports History On This Day: March 25
March 25, 1958 – Boxing legend Sugar Ray Robinson, claimed victory in a 15 round split-decision
Sports History On This Day: March 24
March 24, 1936 – A Stanley Cup playoff game takes a record 9 periods to
Sports History On This Day: March 23
March 23, 1938 – Commissioner, Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis declared that seventy-four of the players in the
Tailgating Challenge: An American Tradition With Founder Luke Lorick
When you go to a sporting event, do you tailgate? If not, have you
Sports History On This Day: March 22
March 22, 1903 – In New York City tickets went on sale for a brand
1976 New England Patriots: One of the Best Teams That Didn’t Win a Super Bowl in the 1970s
From 1960 to 1975, the New England Patriots, formerly playing as the Boston Patriots,
Sports History On This Day: March 21
March 21, 1941 – Abe Simon stepped in the ring with Heavy Weight Champion Joe Louis at