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Rios Talks of McEnroe Ass-Kicking in Senior Final
Posted on August 10, 2006
 Facing an opponent 17 years his senior in John McEnroe, 30-year-old Marcelo Rios says he is looking to kick some old-man ass in the much-awaited final at the Algarve, Portugal stop on the Merrill Lynch Tour of Champions on Friday.
McEnroe qualified for the final Thursday with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Carl-Uwe Steeb, while Rios trounced Paul Haarhuis 6-1, 6-2, with both McEnroe and Rios capping undefeated round robin records.
The two former No. 1-ranked players have never faced each other. Rios, who is gunning for his third senior title in three events this year, has been calling McEnroe out in 2006.
"I've been waiting a long time for this," said Rios, looking to embarrass the American who as a television commentator was critical of the Chilean during his final years on tour. "It will be a nice experience for me, and a nice experience for him. I think we can make a good match."
The Chilean isn't concerned about being on the receiving end of an on-court McEnroe rant, saying emotional outbursts will only make it worse for the volatile American.
"I played once against Goran (Ivanisevic) when he was going crazy, and it didn't bother me at all," Rios said. "The more McEnroe gets mad, the more I'll try to kick his ass."
McEnroe for his part says that while Rios is undefeated thus far on the senior tour, streaks can't last forever.
"I know that he's playing great tennis and taking the ball really early, but everyone's got to lose some time and tomorrow would be a good time to start," said the 47-year-old McEnroe. "I have a belief in myself that I can do it -- I've been in some tough situations before and come through them. I'm going to have to really serve big and keep him off balance -- try to be aggressive and take it to him. I'm looking forward to it."
The winner in Algarve will receive 400 points, and the runner-up 250. McEnroe's effort this week will propel him to No. 2 on the Tennis-X World Senior Ranking, win or lose, and a win in the final will put him a mere 15 points behind the Chilean.
TENNIS-X.COM WORLD SENIOR RANKINGS
(through Aug. 6, 2006)
1. Marcelo Rios (800 pts.)
2. Sergi Bruguera (730)
3. Cedric Pioline (650)
4. John McEnroe (635)
5. Jim Courier (600)
6. Pat Cash (530)
7T. Renzo Furlan (400)
7T. Richard Krajicek (400)
7T. Todd Martin (400)
10. Thomas Muster (375)
The Tennis-X.com World Senior Rankings is a cumulative ranking for senior tour players combining results from the Merrill Lynch Tour of Champions in Europe, and the Outback Champions Series in the U.S.
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