Tennis: Verbals still part of Superbrat's armoury

By TERRY MADDAFORD

There was no mistaking the languid amble, but when vital points were at stake, John McEnroe calmly picked them up, flashed some of the expected magic and eventually saw off Australian Pat Cash.

For the 3300 people who packed Auckland's ASB Tennis Centre to capacity for last night's exhibition, there were few shots in anger from a restrained "Superbrat".

At times, though, he and Cash did unleash the trademark accuracy of their days on the ATP circuit, which along the way had them crowned Wimbledon winners.

That accuracy was some compensation for the depowered game both players brought to the court.

Cash, seemingly hampered by injury, battled bravely but was always up against it, especially in the third set.

At times he was reduced to a mere bit part at the John McEnroe show.

Only when seizing the opportunity to get forward and dominate at the net - and McEnroe was not overly generous in allowing that - did Cash really threaten.

Both players tossed in the odd ace and some stunning winners, but always with the feeling McEnroe was going to win.

It took McEnroe, just days short of his 45th birthday, less than 10 minutes to turn on the verbals - his wrath aimed at a woman doing her best on calling the baseline.

At least she was spared the "that was a horse-shit call" he let fly 24 hours earlier in the Christchurch exhibition, attended by 4000.

Upset at a comment from a courtside box in the first set last night, McEnroe turned to the offender and suggested, by obvious sign language, they might have the courtesy (or something to that effect) to shut up.

At other times McEnroe "happily" debated an issue or two with umpire Dave Smith - inevitably going away second best.

There were lighter moments - one ball from McEnroe's racket was last seen heading towards Carlaw Park.

Later, as Cash served, the ball exploded as it left his racket.

Instantly the popular Australian rolled up his sleeves and pointed to his biceps.

Also, McEnroe's expected "Goddammit, shut up" and a racket thrown in disgust as he lost a game to love - something that was mimicked later by Cash when he was broken to love after dominating the early stages of the third set.

It was two hours and 20 minutes of good fun.

Later, as they prepared for a celebrity doubles, McEnroe and Cash thanked the crowd, the New Yorker promising to return - if wanted - in "about 20 years".

For the record, McEnroe won both exhibitions, which went to three sets.