Chat Transcript
CBS SportsLine.com
May 21, 2001

McEnroe has won 16 doubles titles, including the 1989 French Open doubles title with Jim Grabb (usta.com)

U.S. Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe joined CBS SportsLine.com for a special USA Tennis Month chat.

Patrick and his older brother John are the only two brothers ever to serve as captain of the U.S. Davis Cup team. Patrick spent nine years on the ATP Tour, reaching the semifinals of the 1991 Australian Open and the quarterfinals of the 1995 US Open. He also won 16 doubles titles, including the 1989 French Open doubles title with Jim Grabb, and competed for the U.S. in Davis Cup in 1993, 1994 and 1996.

Since retiring from professional tennis in 1998, McEnroe has emerged as a rising star in sports broadcasting. He is a television commentator for CBS Sports and ESPN and for MSNBC's and Westwood One Radio's "Imus in the Morning" program.

Last summer, he also took a bigger role on the management side of the game, owning the New York Hamptons of Dupont World TeamTennis. He has also vast experience in the boardroom, serving on the ATP Tour Players Council and on the USTA's Board of Directors.

Patrick McEnroe: Hello everyone. I am talking to you from North Carolina and ready to promote our all important Davis Cup match with India in September.

Question: What's the most important thing you have to do as Davis Cup captain?

Patrick McEnroe: Good question! Probably to have a team that has camaraderie and enthusiasm and energy about playing Davis Cup and being part of a team and building that throughout the whole of the US Tennis effort. If I am able to do that then the success as a country in Davis Cup will surely follow.

Question: What do you think of this year's Davis Cup team?

Patrick McEnroe: Well I think we had a disappointing loss in Switzerland. I am excited about the match in September. We have some potential with younger players to build up team unity. That is important for next year and the next 3-5 years of Davis Cup play.

Question: If you had to choose ONE, which surface would you say makes for the best tennis for the players and spectators?

Patrick McEnroe: I would say a relatively slow hard court. Then you can play baseline and attacking tennis. Both can win on a relatively slow hard court. That produces longer rallies and enables attacking players to be successful.

Question: Who do you think are the most underrated players in tennis today?

Patrick McEnroe: It is hard to say that there are underrated players in Tennis because there are strict rankings and ranking don't lie. Maybe underexposed. But in tennis rankings don't lie. Unless you are Martina Hingis and still ranked #1.

Question: Which player that you've faced has had the hardest serve?

Patrick McEnroe: Now that I have had the opportunity to practice with Andy Roddick, thankfully never played against him in a competitive match, his is the biggest. As far as when I played on the pro tour, Phillipoussis or Ivanisevic.

Question: Fill in the blank... The most amazing match I was ever involved in was _______.

Patrick McEnroe: Borg vs McEnroe. Wimbledon final.

Question: You've accomplished so much since you retired from playing. What has been your favorite endeavor?

Patrick McEnroe: I think the one I have taken over this year -- Davis Cup Captain. I look forward to the success in the future. I have enjoyed working with the players and coaches, preparing for now and the future. This job is the one I am most excited about. I love my work in TV and radio but being part of a team really inspires me.

Question: How do you think your career would have differed had there been a USA Tennis Month and its associated events when you were younger?

Patrick McEnroe: My life probably would not have been different. I was lucky to have played tennis from a young age. In my case it probably would not be any different, since I began playing at a young age. The longer USA Tennis Month stays around and the more it does the more opportunities the people will have to play. I was lucky that I took an interest in tennis and my parents were able to provide me with the opportunity to play.

Question: What do you think makes tennis such a good sport for families?

Patrick McEnroe: I think obviously tennis is a sport you can play with others. Different people of different levels can play together. You can play singles, doubles, indoors, outdoors. You can it against the wall, as a kid I played with someone else against the wall. You make mistakes. It is inevitable. But you learn and try to improve. Even the best players in the world have weaknesses. Tennis is an unforgiving sport and to learn it with the members of your family is great for kids. We have always called it the Sport for a Lifetime and you can play it young and old. They have tournaments for young kids and for people who are 80 years old. You can continue playing as you get older and older.

Question: If we made you Lord of All Tennis, are there any changes you might make in the game?

Patrick McEnroe: I would make the season shorter. I would have a real off season in tennis where no professional tennis is played for 3-4 months. I believe the players and media need a break and I think the fans could use a break from the season to get excited about the future. I would make the team aspects more a part of the game, like Davis Cup. It makes it more fun for the players and for the fans.

Question: Was it difficult having a sibling in professional tennis with you? Especially one as notorious as John? Part 2.. If so.. What can youngsters today do to make it easier?

Patrick McEnroe: I think it was, in most ways, a serious plus. I learned a lot from him, just being around him as a kid, about what it was like to be a professional. But certainly there were times where it was hard getting attention because of who he was. But the positives outweighed the negatives. I gained a lot from being his brother, just not in the world of tennis but overall. I think youngsters have to follow their own heart and that is something I tried to do. I looked at the situation and decided what I wanted to do. When I decided to be a tennis player I knew I wouldn't be as good as my brother but that I would have a good career. I based it not on what my older sibling did but what I wanted to do. Analyze the positives and negatives and then make your decision. Regardless of tennis, school, or whatever.

Question: Describe what attributes a tennis player needs to be a champion in your opinion?

Patrick McEnroe: Obviously you need the physical. Speed and quickness, strength and endurance, and timing. But what separates the champions is the mental toughness to deal with adversity and how to handle that in a positive way. When you get to the highest level, the mental aspect of the game becomes just as important as the physical.

Question: What has been your favorite event for USA Tennis Month?

Patrick McEnroe: To me, there is no one event. It is about the free lessons going on around the country. Giving people the ability to go out and find out what tennis is all about. You find out once you put a racquet in people's hands and give them the chance, you will find they want to do it time and time again. I am happy that people who normally wouldn't get the opportunity are having a chance to pick up a racquet through USA Tennis Month.

Question: Who do you think are tennis's next great champions in your opinion?

Patrick McEnroe: Obviously I am biased towards Andy Roddick, the 18 year old American. He has a good future ahead of him, great attitude and a great game. Another that many don't know about is Tommy Robredo from Spain. I think he has an excellent future as well as Roddick.

Patrick McEnroe: Thank you all for coming on. I hope you all enjoy the next two Grand Slams at the French Open and Wimbledon. I am also looking forward to our Davis Cup match against India in September in Winston-Salem NC. Keep on Swinging!