by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright September 12, 1999
All Rights Reserved.

inding out that political correctness pays rich rewards, 'past-life' tennis radical John McEnroe has been 'born again' into the tennis establishment. Accepting the helm of the coveted U.S. Davis Cup squad, McEnroe proved that even bad boys can eventually make good. Though rehabilitation has its price, the once brilliant tennis phenom, known as much for his on-court temper tantrums as his serve and volley, has gone through a surprising metamorphosis. Gone are the arrogance, conceit, grandiosity and sarcasm, replaced with optimism, graciousness, humor and, yes, down-to-earth sincerity — truly a work [of charisma] in progress.

       Taken down a notch by a tumultuous celebrity divorce, mellowed by his more recent marriage and children, and matured by his entertaining, yet humbling, years in the broadcast booth, McEnroe’s seems to have changed his ways. Now a respected TV analyst and emerging as one of his sport’s high profile ambassadors, he’s made a 180 degree turn from the days when he was hurling insults and stomping off the court. Bravo for his ability to change! Transforming yourself from impudent snob into consummate diplomat proves that charisma can be learned. Bravo for proving this point! Change never comes easy and lasting make overs are an impressive piece of work. But we all know that managing success is easier than dealing with failure. As most 'recovering' people know, old habits don’t die easily — and they’ve been known to reappear under stress.

       Thanking Judy Levering profusely — the first woman president of the USTA — for lobbying on his behalf, McEnroe called his appointment as Davis Cup team captain "one of the proudest moments of his life." When he sought the position in 1994 and was passed over, McEnroe reflected, "I was going through a difficult situation . . . and I wouldn’t have been as effective as I hope to be right now. I think I needed some time away from the game. Time away from things sometimes gives you appreciation for what you don’t have and what you want to be a part of . . . ." Despite not openly admitting it, McEnroe’s transformation is strangely reminiscent of president Clinton’s attempt to atone for past indiscretions. Having a keen sense of history, McEnroe isn’t content with his current place in tennis archives. He’s been on a mission to rewrite his own legacy.

       Exuding a quiet patriotism and vowing to resurrect U.S. Davis Cup to its rightful place, McEnroe made it plain that he takes his new job seriously. Hoping to inspire the top-rated U.S. players to join his squad, he left the door open for his own participation in doubles play. Considered among the best senior players, McEnroe is still regarded as a formidable doubles threat. But the real issue is not whether he’ll play doubles or even whether top U.S. players will sacrifice their paychecks and bodies to serve their country on his squad, it’s whether McEnroe can provide the supportive, reassuring, attentive, and, yes, doting leadership needed to rein-in some of America’s highest maintenance athletes. Taking the heat for recent failures, the former Davis Cup captain, amicable Tom Gullickson, paid the price. He found out that inspiring participation among America’s most pricey athletes is a tall order to fill. Will McEnroe find it any easier? Only time will tell.

       While Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras supported McEnroe’s selection as Davis Cup captain, they haven’t committed themselves as of yet. When asked whether they’ll be playing Davis Cup, both have said, "That’d be a lot of fun." But so far, no real commitments. Maintaining their own commercial endorsements and contractual obligations sometimes doesn’t fit with time constraints and gratuitous service outside the ATP tour. How McEnroe deals with adversity remains to be seen. Like Gullickson, he may not get what he wants, as he tries to pull together America’s best possible Davis Cup team. Though some of the players might jump on the bandwagon today, that doesn’t mean he’s going to get everything he wants. When the euphoria settles down, he’s still faced with selling top-rated players on participating in honorable 'community service.' To garner this interest, McEnroe will have to lavish players with abundant praise and restrain his well known propensity toward criticism.

       When the honeymoon’s over, John McEnroe will be left with the same problems confronting his predecessor: How to convince America’s big-money players to place country before their own egos and commercial deals. Judging his last news conference, McEnroe demonstrated the kind of fancy footwork needed to pull it off. Once bucking the system and unloading politically incorrect comments, his remarks are now measured and politically correct. He’s biting his tongue and saying all the right things. Bravo again! That takes considerable control. Encouraging his change, Fed Cup captain and women’s tennis ambassador Billie King — once a radical outsider herself — said, "The USTA culture has changed. I think John has changed. I think everyone’s a little more mature. The generation that lived through the '60s and '70s was a part of change in out country, culturally with Vietnam and all that. My generation saw a lot of change. . ." Clearly, Billie Jean King is talking more about herself than John McEnroe.

       Outgrowing his own immaturity and rising above his narcissism, John McEnroe’s success involves learning to place other peoples’ needs before his own. He discovered the magic of how politeness, consideration, and, yes, political correctness transformed his unappealing image into one of irresistible charisma. Sitting on top of the world, he’s now bathing in the success of his most challenging 'grand slam': True maturity. Bravo to Mr. John McEnroe! Let’s hope it lasts.

About the Author

John M. Curtis is director of a West Los Angeles think tank specializing in human behavior, health care and political research and media consultation. He’s a seminar trainer, columnist and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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