John McEnroe is a man who has been through all sorts of atrocities. From facing on-court injuries, and failed marriage to literally witnessing gun violence, the seven-time Grand Slam champion has seen it all.

Yes, the American legend has faced something that never even strikes a tennis professional’s mind. McEnroe during the very initial years of his career was in a court that was at someone’s gunpoint. Here’s the story of the 1977 US Open that still haunts many fans.

The US Open match of John McEnroe

The year was carrying a lot of fear for the citizens of America, especially New Yorkers. With the city-wide blackouts, lootings, and the emergence of the serial killer nicknamed Son of Sam, the incident just multiplied the terror.

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The former world no.1 was competing against the ninth seed Eddie Dibbs on the outdoor clay court of West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, Queen, when a commotion in the stands halted the game.

A spectator was shot in the leg. The bullet, as per the police, arrived from the nearby apartment buildings. Nearly 7000 people gathered to watch McEnroe who made up to the semifinals of the Wimbledon as a qualifier play that day. And the firing stunned everyone. In fact, the veteran later confessed that Dibbs was so shaken by the news that he announced, “I’m out of here.”

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Though the story was later revised, the fan hadn’t been shot, rather; he went into a shock. Thereafter, the match resumed and the four times US Open champion outclassed Dibbs in a three-set long match.

McEnroe’s failed marriage’s effect on his game

The three times Wimbledon champion tied the knot with Tatum O’Neal in 1986 and confessed to feeling more pressured than ever. The eyes on him expecting extraordinary results increased multifold post the marriage. O’Neal the Academy Award-winning actress’ fame, brought him on the radar of the paparazzi as well.

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Their relationship was under constant inspection and trailing. In fact, even their wedding ceremony got swamped by helicopters. Apart from that, they also had internal problems. As when the couple decided to part way, the courtroom became ugly by the accusations of drug abuse from both ends.