Australian Open fast facts
John McEnroe is the only player to be disqualified from an Australian Open match in the Open era.
At the 1990 Australian Open, McEnroe was leading Swede Mikael Pernfors 6-1 4-6 7-5 2-4 in the fourth round when he was defaulted by chair umpire Gerry Armstrong for swearing after receiving a point penalty for racket abuse, following an earlier warning for intimidating a lineswoman.
McEnroe was caught out by the reduction from four offences for a default to three. “I guess it was bound to happen,” said a contrite McEnroe. “I don’t have anyone to blame but myself for not knowing the rules.”
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