Well, sort of.

John McEnroe has announced that he will stage a one-tournament comeback, doubles only, in San Jose next February. He will partner Jonas Bjorkman in an effort to bring interest and publicity back to doubles, hoping to help repair the damage to doubles' reputation after the recent controversial rule changes that have instituted a "no-ad" system and eliminated a full third set entirely in favor of a super tiebreak (beginning in 2006). Ironically, though, the rule changes should help McEnroe be more competative against much younger competition. McEnroe probably still has the best hands at net in men's tennis, much like Navratilova on the women's side.

From TennisWeek.com:



[ December 02, 2005, 07:11 AM: Message edited by: Gaga4Gaby ]

Mac played great with the WTT both in doubles and in singles. Martina's an accurate comparison - they've both got probably the best hands on court of all time. He'll do just fine in doubles and teaming with Borkman is a great choice.

I remember thinking about McEnroe when there was all this sniping about Martina Navratilova beating Catalina Castano (or somebody like that) at Wimbledon. If McEnroe had been playing doubles on the tour for a couple of years and was really in top shape, I could see him beating a challenger-circuit clay court player at Wimbledon.

I remember when he was Davis Cup coach, and was threatening to play doubles. The players immediately got him out on the court and proceeded to whip his ass, and he changed his mind. Personally, I'm doubtful he could perform anywhere near the level Martina has in her comeback. Mac hasn't exactly been obliterating all competition on the senior's tour, has he? I know he does well, but let's face it -- Martina could double bagel any female player her age.

Well, that's true, but McEnroe has never been the fitness demon Martina is. I think he would have had a longer and more successful career if he had been. I was thinking of a hypothetical McEnroe, I guess you could say.

Still, you have to feel for what it must have been like to play a living legend on center court at Wimbledon when you're not an experienced big match player, have never won a match on grass at the WTA level, and quite possibly have never played a real serve-and-volleyer before.

Just catching up with recent posts after a disappointing trip up to Shanghai.Tanking being fashionable that week!!

I like the news that Hingis is making a comeback. I don't think anybody can be sure how she is going to cope at present but she has a extraordinary tennis brain and she is a welcome addition to the scene. I just hope that all the current contenders are fit and healthy at the same time and that being the case it will be a fascinating year.I know many posters here dislike Hingis, for various reasons, but I always felt that she often tripped over her tongue with her inability to succinctly express herself in English.I read that during her absence she took English language courses.

What I also admired about Hingis too was her great skill, and understanding, of the game of doubles. Doubles never gets much coverage here but I have admiration for skill and thinkers on court. I remember seeing some matches abroad when Hingis was partnering Davenport...they were dynamic. Davenport with her heavy serve and flat hard returns, Hingis would continually cross and angle her volleys beautifully . Don't know the gossip on why she split with Davenport but she (Hingis) later got some good results with Kournikova too.Hope she picks up another partner.

I really liked McEnroe teaming up with Graf to play mixed doubles in 99, was it? That was fun to watch. Good for the game, too.

And as much as I can't stomach Hingis, and as much as McEnroe obviously wants to prop her up with his laughable claims of her being able to get back into the top 10 instantly...how great would it be for the sport, and for mixed doubles especially, if he and Hingis partnered to play some mixed doubles during next year? Even I would like to see that.