"I was beating the hell out of everyone, so he said goodbye": Former World No.1 Marcelo Rios recounts fractious relationship with John McEnroe
Tennis NewsSunday, 26 November 2023 at 00:30
Marcelo
Rios revealed a strained relationship with John McEnroe after the American
said, "he does not belong on the senior tour."
Chilean
former world No. 1 had an inconsistent career due to injuries and became known
for disputes with various Tour players. Rios eventually retired at the young
age of 28 and shortly after entered the veterans' tour, where he managed to
become No. 1, being the only player to have held the top spot in juniors,
professionals, and veterans.
After
disclosing that he was close to coming to blows with Pete Sampras, the Chilean
commented that he also does not have a good relationship with another American
tennis legend, John McEnroe, due to Rios's dominance in the veterans'
tournament, leading McEnroe to eventually expel him:
"He
kicked me out of the veterans' tour; he was like the owner who organized it. As
I was doing well, he thought I was too young and everything. He told me I
couldn't play anymore,” he said.
“I was
beating the hell out of everyone, so he said 'goodbye.' I don't talk much with
him. When I've run into him, it's like I don't have much to say. It's not that
I dislike him, but I hate it when they talk on TV about how I never won a Grand
Slam, about this and that, and they kept going on about it. I never got along
very well with the Americans," the Chilean added.
In 2006,
McEnroe was upset about the entry age for tournaments featuring former legends,
as Rios was only 30 years old and won eight consecutive tournaments without
much difficulty. At that time, McEnroe, at 47 years old, was one of the
favorites in the tournaments, but after criticizing the Chilean, he suffered a
defeat with a score of 6-3, 6-2.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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