European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 24, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse The stepping out of John s shadowy Ron Mckinney staff writer Patrick Mcenroe s entry into the australian open s a semifinals this week has been relatively sedate compared to brother John s fiery exit in the fourth round a year ago. But getting second Billing is a Way of life when you Are the younger brother of a Tennis legend. John has spent his turbulent career with his name splashed across newspapers worldwide the younger Mcenroe s career has been a footnote in comparison. But Patrick 24, understands that. He is also one of John s biggest fans. Quot i love to watch him play. If i could do some of the things that John does. Quot he said Between matches at the Paris indoor championships in november. And while the Mcenroe clan usually makes Tennis a family affair this Mcenroe is on his own at Melbourne Australia a unlike the . Open where the Oyster Bay. N.y., native won his first grand slam singles match before a gallery of friends and family. John pulled out of the tournament because of an injury and the rest of the family remains in new York. A although Mcenroe has worked hard on improving his singles game last year it was hardly expected a even by his family a that he would go so far in his second grand slam singles tournament at Melbourne. Quot i think it s fair to say his Mother and i Are surprised to see him in the quarterfinals of a grand slam Quot John Mcenroe or. Said in a Telephone interview earlier this week. A a a a a a a v. A a a a a. A. Mcenroe won his quarterfinal match and advanced to the semifinals of the $4 million australian open Tennis championships by edging italian Cristiano Caratti 7-6 726-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-2 on wednesday. But papa Mcenroe said the family is thrilled to see Patrick doing so Well Down under. He said Patrick worked hard this past year lifting weights and on the court and he worked out with John in Hawaii before flying to Australia. R Quot he wanted to give it the Best shot he could so he could never say he sold himself Short Quot said Mcenroe or. Mcenroe certainly did not sell himself Short in College. The three time All american singles player from Stanford University in Stanford calif., earned a Bachelor s degree in political science while leading the Cardinal to two National team titles in 1986 and 1988. Two years ago Mcenroe began making a name for. Himself when he won the French open doubles with Jim Grabb. Later that year he and Grabb won the masters. It was that consistent Success in doubles that kept him playing in the later rounds during the weekend conflicting with the next tournament s qualifying draw. Quot i had a lot of Success in doubles which was Nice for me but it Hurt my singles career. Then i missed the singles qualifying which is a problem i had for a year and a half Quot he said. After the australian open Mcenroe May not be forced to qualify for Many More tournaments. His 1990 end of year ranking of no. 120 he was no. 360 after 1989 vill improve dramatically. Mcenroe 5 feet 11 inches and 162 pounds credits his conditioning drills for the improvement. Quot Don t have a real weakness in my game now. I think the weakness in my game toward the end of my Colleg career and then when i started the pros was my Speed. My movement on the court and my Lack of conditioning probably. Quot now that i feel i be made a lot of Progress in that i feel a lot More confident in my game. I feel like once i get top Patrick Mcenroe shows his two handed backhand at the australian open. Above big brother John and Patrick at a 1985 tournament. To the Ball i can hit the shot. It was just a question of a always getting to the Ball and now i feel like most of the time i can get to it Quot he said. When Mcenroe gets to the Ball he likes to flaunt his two listed backhand and move in to the net whenever he can. a year of working on his quickness and a conditioning his game has solidified. It has not gone unnoticed. Quot now that his condition is much better i think he s going to make some results a said both ranked in Olio Sanchez at the Paris indoors. Quot he s thinner now. I be s lost a lot of weight and i think that s just As important in Mcenroe s life is Ian. Having John in his Corner provides a big lift. Quot it s Tough for him to be Able to come and Wau h a lot of the time just because he gets hassled so nun h. It s when John s around and we get to a fiend some time. Together Quot he said. Ski Endig time with a brother is just one of the benefits of being a Mcenroe. I be said his name has also gotten turn wild card slots in tournaments he otherwise would not have been Able to play. A Quot obviously it s Tough always being known us John s. Brother but that s the Way it s always been for Mei i try to do the Best i can enjoy Tennis a Olayas hard As i can and. Hopefully if i can Keenjr improving in singles people will Start recognizing me More for my game arid How Well. I p of. Quot hut there s riot Many players in the world that Cun play like my brother so it does t Jother me when try to compare me to him. It s just absurd he said. Quot i think it s just like having an older brother in a school. It s All relative. If your older brother or sister was a great student and you go to the same set Hool three years behind them you re going to feel the natural pressure Quot but 1 Don t think there Are Loo Many that Are in the same situation i m in Quot lie said. He is right. Very few players in the word make it to the semifinals of the australian open. Fewer is ill arc those. Who do it Lamg in the huge Shadow of Orient greatest slavers. A january 24, str Pes naga pm 3
