McEnroe and Leconte almost come to blows in exhibition tournament

The American, John McEnroe and Frenchman Henri Leconte came to blows on Friday in an ugly faceoff while competing in the Cathay Pacific Champions tennis tournament.

The American, John McEnroe and Frenchman Henri Leconte came to blows on Friday in an ugly faceoff while competing in the Cathay Pacific Champions tennis tournament.

Leconte was serving at 3-3 in the second set when he smashed a shot that the line judge ruled in. McEnroe protested and the chair umpire overuled the decision and called the shot out.

Leconte jumped over the net onto McEnroe's side of the court and both players resorted to foul language in a lengthy argument in front of shocked spectators at the indoor court at the Hong Kong's Convention and Exhibition Center.

The exhibition tournament is not part of the ATP senior tour.

McEnroe, who won the match 6-4, 7-5, said later "I take pride in competing hard."

Leconte dismissed the American remarks, saying the tournament was not an ATP event, and he did not want to be treated badly.

Both Leconte and McEnroe advanced to the semi-finals on Saturday following the end of preliminary group play in the tournament, which includes such players as Mats Wilander of Sweden, Yannick Noah of France, Guillermo Vilas of Argentina, and Australian John Fitzgerland.

The other two semi-finalists are Wilander and Noah.

On Thursday, the 40-year-old outspoken McEnroe launched an attack on the Association of Tennis Professionals, calling it a "communist organization" lacking leadership and vision.