McEnroe Warns British Photographer and Then Hits Him With a Tennis Ball

STRATTON, Vt. — John McEnroe struck a British free-lance photographer with a ball Monday and complained that his return to tournament competition after a 6 1/2-month layoff has become a “circus.”

Before beginning a practice session with Jimmy Connors in preparation for the $315,000 Volvo International, McEnroe told photographer Tommy Hindley to stay away from him. Standing about 12 feet away, McEnroe fired two balls--the first missed but the second struck Hindley on the leg.

“The next one will be between your eyes,” Hindley said McEnroe warned him, adding, “It’s guys like you who made me get out of the game.”

McEnroe, wearing a shirt with “Mac” on the front, played one practice set against Connors, winning 7-5. He will play his first tournament match today since walking away from the tour in January.

McEnroe’s return has attracted media from Great Britain, Sweden and West Germany, plus a large contingent from across the United States.

“There are too many people here. I’m being hassled--it’s like a circus,” McEnroe said. “I’m not into it.”

Hindley has had previous run-ins with McEnroe, who at the 1983 French Open kicked one of the photographer’s camera lenses during a match.

“He’s the aggressive one, not me,” said Hindley, who added he was warned by McEnroe to stay away from the house the three-time Wimbledon champion is sharing with his wife, actress Tatum O’Neal, whom he married Friday.