Michael Chang vs John McEnroe: Lessons Learned

Jim McLennan, Senior Editor, TennisONE

Recently I had the pleasure of watching an exhibition match between Michael Chang and John McEnroe. The exhibition was to benefit the University of California Berkeley tennis program. This event was orchestrated by Cal tennis alumni Carl Chang and Tom Ross (who is Michael's agent) and the Cal men's tennis coach Peter Wright. Cal's Harmon Gymnasium was nearly full, and the intimate arena was perfect for this tennis exhibition.

John McEnroe was, as usual, artful, vulgar, competitive--and still every bit the poor sport we've become accustomed to over the years. Using an old Dunlop 200G (which incidentally was a terrific racquet in the 1980's) he totally enthralled the crowd with sharply angled crosscourts, deft volleys, and daring forays to the net

Michael Chang was engaging, displaying genuine warmth and feeling for both his senior opponent as well as the audience. His playing style, which provided a nice counterpoint to McEnroe, was determined, powerful, and as one dimensional as modern tennis.

The match featured Chang darting from side to side, stretching to return Mac's wide spinning serves, then scampering across the baseline for a chance at Mac's sharply angled volleys. When Chang was set up comfortably on the baseline, his power and placement were more than a match for Mac's artistry, and ultimately that carried the match to Chang a 6-4, 6-3 victory.

McEnroe certainly deserves credit for participating in event. Besides raising money for a worthwhile charity and providing an entertaining evening, he also demonstrated some basic tactical principles that every player can apply to his or her game.

McEnroe's High Percentage Tactics

For all the talk of McEnroe the tennis artist, he says himself that he was the ultimate percentage tennis player.

"I got cast as the high flying, risk a minute, so called creative genius when my game was just about percentage tennis. If you have a big swinging left handed serve, its a high percentage play to come in and volley. Coming in off the short ball is a high percentage shot. So is taking a chance, provided you do it at the right moment."

All of McEnroe's tactics are textbook percentage tennis inspired from the mold of Kramer, Newcombe, and Laver. The following examples provide an interesting glimpse into Mac's style of high percentage tennis.

1. On the defensive, play crosscourt

When being run by Chang and forced to the corners of the court, Mac always played defensive crosscourts, often sharply angled, but always with the intention of getting back into the court and back into the point. In the modern game, Sampras backcourt play now closely approaches this model.

2. Wait for the short ball

When rallying from the baseline, Mac only played the ball high and deep--just a waiting game to keep Michael from attacking, and waiting for the short ball. Again, Sampras is now the master of the high and deep crosscourt topspin backhand, waiting for the short opportunity.

3. Attack short balls with underspin approach shots

Whenever the ball was short, Mac always came in, hitting low bouncing approach shots. With the retirement of Edberg, this approaching style is seldom seen anymore.

4. Place approach into open court

Whenever there was an opening, Mac played to that spot--nothing tricky, nothing to wrong foot the opponent, just hit it where the opponent isn't. Again, without Edberg, we are not as accustomed to seeing this type of play, and certainly were Sampras--or Chang for that matter--to improve their volleying, this percentage style of play would improve their overall games.

Try A Tennis Exhibition

These type of exhibitions may not have the drama of watching a US Open match, but when performed in such an intimate surrounding as Cal's Harmon Gymnasium, they may be one of the best venues for tennis. The players are engaging, the smiles are delightful, and the tennis is top notch. It's tough to beat that on any night.