McEnroe gets early birthday gift with doubles win

By Mark Richardson

SAN JOSE (Reuters) – John McEnroe rolled back the years on
Thursday to partner Swede Jonas Bjorkman to a first round
doubles win at the SAP Open.

Bjorkman and McEnroe, on the eve of his 47th birthday, beat
the No. 2 seeded doubles team of Wayne Arthurs and Stephen Huss
6-3, 6-3.

“I want to inspire the old people,” McEnroe said. “The old
dog wants to teach the young guys a few new tricks.”

McEnroe, who last played an ATP Tour match in 1994, was
presented with a birthday cake and fans sang “Happy Birthday”
to him after the match.

The erstwhile enfant terrible of the men’s tour teased the
crowd, playfully scowling at the chair umpire on a couple of
close line calls and dropping his racket in mock anger.

During his career, McEnroe won a record 154 tournaments –
77 singles and 77 doubles.

“It isn’t going to change the world that I played a doubles
tournament. We’ve got to get out there and attract new
customers,” said McEnroe.

“But it’s nice to be out there and open people’s eyes about
doubles a little bit.”