WATCH: How the legendary John McEnroe defied Apartheid
The American tennis legend was offered a stupendous amount to play an exhibition game in South Africa in the 80s.
Tennis legend John McEnroe has revealed how he protested against Apartheid by refusing to come to South Africa in 1980 to play his great rival Bjorn Borg in an exhibition match.
The American, then only 21-years-old, was offered a staggering $1 million at the time to participate.
“At that time it was worth at least $10 million now or more, but I feel proud that I made that decision at the time,” McEnroe told journalist Graham Bensinger in a television interview.
“I though to myself ‘yeah this is an unbelievable amount of money but there’s a reason why they’re offering it – because they’re going to take advantage of me and sort of use that propaganda in a way’.”
McEnroe admits his decision wasn’t necessarily a big deal but is still chuffed that he didn’t come.
“I doubt the decision whether I came or not would’ve change the world but I’m still proud of myself.”
The 59-year-old did meet Nelson Mandela a few years later, stating: “He was the most amazing person I ever met.”
Watch the interview here:
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