The champion of the Australian Open in tennis in 1985 was Stefan Edberg, but very few people from this region probably remember that. However, what many recall from that tournament is the legendary quarterfinal match between John McEnroe and Slobodan Boba Živojinović, and his move that is still talked about today.
In the fourth set (McEnroe led 2-1 in sets), Boba Živojinović was leading 2-0, with McEnroe serving. John easily won the first point of the game, but in the second point, after a line judge correction, visibly annoyed by the decision, he started to argue with the main referee of the match. As John often did this to disrupt opponents and knowing it would take some time, Boba Živojinović decided on an unusual move. He went to the lounge, sat down, crossed his legs, and helped himself to a sandwich and water (champagne was also offered to him, but Boba declined). His move further irritated McEnroe, who surely did not expect someone to “steal” the show from him, and he played poorly for the rest of the match, which Boba capitalized on, making a comeback, winning the fourth and then the fifth set (the last set he won 6-0).
“Oh, that sandwich… It’s incredible that wherever I go, not only here or in the former Yugoslavia, but all over the world, that sandwich follows me. It’s probably a symbol of my tennis career… I respect John as one of the best tennis players in the world, but I grew up on the streets of Belgrade and I didn’t want to be part of his show. I immediately withdrew from the court, it was great – I get a chair, sit down and lift my legs, grab the sandwich. I was hungry, you know, we played for a long time. An Australian next to me even adds champagne, but I thank him because I have to continue. And then suddenly the whole stadium stood up – applause, energy… Television cannot convey that energy, something fascinating. That image went around the world. McEnroe found himself in awe there. He finished his story with the referee, I returned to the court, and there – applause. I come to the line, he serves, we should continue, he hits the ball a few times, stops, looks at me and says – ‘You’re gonna pay for this.’ Then he starts to serve, and I just say ‘not ready’ – I’m not ready to return the serve. Now I go to the referee. I tell him: ‘Excuse me, please, did you hear what he said to me? He’s threatening me! How am I supposed to continue playing the match? Please warn him.’ And that was the end – that’s why the fifth set ended 6-0 for me. His last return went out of the stadium. He was also fined for not attending the press conference after the match; he was even suspended for three months.” – Boba recounted many years later.
