McEnroe's Outburst: The Day Chalk Flew Up

On September 11, 1985, one of the most iconic moments in tennis history took place during the US Open at Flushing Meadows, New York. In a quarterfinal match between John McEnroe and Joakim Nyström, McEnroe found himself in a heated dispute with the chair umpire over a call he believed was incorrect.

McEnroe, known for his fiery temper and on-court outbursts, unleashed a tirade that would become one of the most famous quotes in sports history. After the umpire ruled against him, McEnroe yelled, "You cannot be serious! That ball was on the line! Chalk flew up!" He continued his rant, shouting, "You guys are the absolute pits of the world!"

The crowd at Louis Armstrong Stadium was stunned by McEnroe's outburst, and the incident quickly became headline news. McEnroe's "You cannot be serious!" line has since been immortalized in popular culture, appearing in movies, TV shows, and even commercials.

Despite the controversy, McEnroe went on to win the match against Nyström in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, 6-3. He then advanced to the semifinals, where he faced Jimmy Connors. In a thrilling five-set battle, McEnroe prevailed 6-4, 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, earning a spot in the final against Ivan Lendl.

The championship match was a rematch of the previous year's final, which Lendl had won. This time, however, McEnroe was determined to claim the title. In front of a packed house at the US Open, McEnroe and Lendl engaged in an epic duel. The match swung back and forth, with both players displaying their incredible skills and determination.

In the end, McEnroe triumphed in straight sets, 7-6, 6-3, 6-4, capturing his fourth US Open singles title. The victory was especially sweet for McEnroe, as it came on the heels of his controversial outburst earlier in the tournament.

The 1985 US Open will always be remembered for John McEnroe's "You cannot be serious!" moment, which has become an integral part of sports lore. But it was also a showcase of McEnroe's incredible talent and his ability to channel his emotions into his performance on the court. His victory over Ivan Lendl in the final cemented his status as one of the greatest tennis players of all time and added another chapter to his storied career at the US Open.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to This Moment in Sports History podcast On September eleventh,
nineteen eighty five, one of the most iconic moments in
tennis history took place during the US Open at Flushing Meadows,
New York. In a quarter final match between John McEnroe
and jo Kim Nistrom, McEnroe found himself in a heated
dispute with the chair umpire over a call he believed

(00:21):
was incorrect. McEnroe, known for his fiery temper and encourt outbursts,
unleashed a tirade that would become one of the most
famous quotes in sports history. After the umpire ruled against him,
McEnroe yelled, you cannot be serious that ball was on

(00:45):
the line. Chuck flew up. He continued his rat, shouting,
you guys are the absolute pits of the world. The
crowd at Leuis Armstrong Stadium was stunned by McEnroe's outburst,
and the incident quickly became headline news. McEnroe's state you

(01:08):
cannot be serious line has since been inmortalized in popular culture,
appearing in movies, TV shows, and even commercials. Despite the controversy,
McEnroe went on to win the match against Nystrom in
straight sets sixty four, six', two sixty. Three he then
advanced to the, semifinals where he Faced Jimmy conners in

(01:31):
a thrilling five set. Battle McEnroe prevailed sixty four four to,
six seven five four, six six,' three earning a spot
in the Final Against. Ivan lendell the championship match was
a rematch of the previous, year's Final which lendall. Had won, this,
Time however McEnroe was determined to claim. The title in

(01:52):
front of a packed house AT The, Us open McEnroe
and lendel engaged in an. Epic duel the match swung back,
and forth with both players displaying their incredible skills. In
determination in, The end racknroe triumphed in straight sets, seven, six,
six three, six four capturing HIS fourth U s open.
Singles title the victory was especially Sweet, for macenroe as

(02:15):
it came on the heels of his controversial outburst earlier in.
The tournament the nineteen EIGHTY five U s open will
always be Remembered For john MacEnroe's you cannot be, serious
moment which has become an integral part of, sports lore
but it was also a Showcase of MacEnroe's incredible talent

(02:35):
and his ability to channel his emotions into his performance on.
The court his Victory Over ivan lendall in the final
cemented his status as one of the greatest tennis players

(02:55):
of all time and added another chapter to his storied
career AT The. Us open and that wraps. It up
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