"I kicked my racket across the court & they booed again, I loved it": When John McEnroe opened up about Wimbledon outburst behind 'Superbrat' nickname

John McEnroe once reflected on his infamous outburst at the 1977 Wimbledon Championships that earned him the nickname 'Superbrat.' The American also opened up about his unconventional reaction to being booed by the crowd at SW19.

McEnroe made his tournament debut at the 1977 edition of the grasscourt Major, entering the event as a qualifier. He produced a stellar run at SW19, making an unexpected run to the quarterfinals, where he faced 13th seed Phil Dent. The clash turned controversial when the American smashed his racket after losing the second set, leading to him being booed for the first time in his career.

John McEnroe recounted the memorable incident in a 2001 interview with ESPN, disclosing that he found it hilarious to be booed. Curious to see how the crowd would react, the American admitted that he escalated the situation by kicking his racket across the court and humorously remarked that he loved the jeers.

"I thought it was hilarious. I wanted to see what would happen so I kicked my racket across the court and they booed again. I loved it," John McEnroe said.

The incident led the British media to bestow the famous 'Superbrat' moniker on McEnroe. However, the former World No. 1 admitted that he was surprised by the scrutiny his antics garnered in America, especially since he grew up in New York, where such contentious behavior was the norm.

John McEnroe also emphasized that while his volatile on-court conduct was similar to how professional hockey and football players behaved, his tantrums were perceived in a harsher light.

"I had no idea that would translate to America and become such a big deal. I grew up in New York. You go from the airport to your house and you're lucky if ten people don't call you an a**hole. Look at hockey players -- put a mike on them, or put a mike on the football field. I'm just like those guys, but they made it look like it was all different," he said.

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"I'm just doing it because it's the habit" - John McEnroe likened his on-court outbursts to a 'cigarette addiction'

John McEnroe (Source: Getty)

During the same interview, John McEnroe likened his frequent on-court outbursts to a "cigarette addiction," asserting that his tantrums became habitual over time.

"Like a cigarette addiction. It's not really what I'm feeling, I'm just doing it because it's the habit. I'd go out on the court and suddenly I'm doing something and I'd be like, 'Why am I doing this?'" McEnroe said.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion also emphasized that his fiery and volatile conduct stemmed from his desire to change the sport's "stiff" and rigid conventions.

"The game was so stiff. It felt like everybody's collar was starched, like the next thing they were going to do was ask me to wear long pants. So if there was one thing I wanted to change that was it. It became like this cause for me," he added.

John McEnroe has also disclosed that fatherhood mellowed his explosive personality, leading to him staying calm and composed when he transitioned to commentary after he retired from professional tennis.