Last night at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis, tennis fans came out to see a legend. They got more than that. Someday they just may look back and realize they saw a couple of legends. Only time will tell, for there was rising American tennis star, Jack Sock kicking things off at the tournament by playing with none other than tennis great John McEnroe. 19-year-old Sock and 53-year-old McEnroe partnered and faced fellow Americans James Blake and Sam Querrey in a doubles exhibition match that was an even serving of tennis expertise (McEnroe’s placement, Querrey’s volleying, Blake’s court coverage, Sock’s serve) and entertainment (such as when McEnroe called for a lob and Sock was already focused on returning the ball… their two racquets whacked each other and the ball retreated into the net… Sock sought refuge hiding behind a lineswoman). The crowd loved every moment. Eventually McEnroe and Sock defeated Blake and Querrey, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.
McEnroe still has it, by the way. Blending his precision and finesse with the power that Sock provides is a dependable formula for winning. Last week, McEnroe and Sock beat Gael Monfils and Steve Johnson in an exhibition at the SAP Open in San Jose, Calif. At this point the partners team of McEnroe & Sock are undefeated (or 2-0, depending on how you look at it). With Sock as his partner, we may never get to witness the level of frustration that McEnroe is famous for. All we got last night from McEnroe was good-spirited play and the occasional faux boiling point. Yes, there was the occasional stare-down of a line judge, but there was no uttering his most well-known saying (“You Cannot Be Serious”). Mostly it was a chance to bring the crowds out at the first night of the tournament and get them excited in anticipation about the matches yet to come.
In the far court, McEnroe serving…
It was more than that, however. It was a chance to see firsthand the camaraderie of the game that so many tennis fans value, as well as providing evidence that McEnroe is as concerned with American tennis’ future as he is an important part of its past. What better way to mentor the future legends than by getting out on the court and playing the game? It’s also a reminder for fans that doubles is (and always has been) a fast and exciting game.
McEnroe & Sock’s post-match remarks…
When different generations of players share the court, it’s always electric. And so it was tonight, when the four, each with their own strengths fought hard against the cynical outlook that the best years of American tennis are somehow behind us. Yes, tennis had a golden age in the McEnroe era (or was it the Jimmy Connors era? or the Bjorn Borg era? or did it start in the Rod Laver era and continue until the Pete Sampras era? Or… you get the point.) As long as there are world-class athletes pursuing the dream to be the last one to hit the fuzzy green ball in bounds most often in a match, the golden age of tennis will never end. Don’t believe me? Stop by The Racquet Club of Memphis tonight, where Jack Sock will play Ryan Harrison in round one action. You cannot be serious — Sock vs. Harrison? It’s a match some of us have been waiting for, but didn’t expect to see quite so soon.
I see the glimmer of the next golden age just beginning.
