Wimbledon in pictures: 10 iconic moments from the history of the tournament

You cannot be serious!

Former No.1 McEnroe threw a tantrum when a line call did not go his way

John McEnroe was known as much for his brilliant tennis as he was for his foul temper, and the former World No. 1 has gone down in history for this incident.

At the 1981 Wimbledon championships, the American was playing compatriot Tom Gullikson in his first round match. He was completely unhappy with a line call, and let his displeasure with the line judge be known quite clearly to the crowd.

According to McEnroe, the ball had been in, but the line judge had called it out. And at that moment was born the iconic McEnroe phrase “You cannot be serious!”, with the American shouting repeatedly at the line judge saying that chalk had flown up.

He was awarded a fine instead, and the moment has gone down as one of tennis’ most ill-tempered moments.