McEnroe rolls back years to take doubles title

John McEnroe capped his comeback to the ATP Tour with a surprise doubles victory in the SAP Open final on Sunday in San Jose, the veteran partnering Swede Jonas Bjorkman to a 7-6 4-6 10-7 win over Paul Goldstein and Jim Thomas.

Appearing in his first ATP tournament since 1994, the 47-year-old American displayed plenty of the trademark deft touches that once made him the number one player in the world.

"I didn't know what was going to happen, but I felt good that first day, so I thought we had a chance," McEnroe told reporters after the contest.

McEnroe's 78th doubles title came 14 seasons after his last, won with brother Patrick at the Paris Indoors in November 1992.

While McEnroe sports a full head of grey hair and has slowed his pace around the court, the seven-times grand slam champion stood firm against the weight of his opponents' heavy shots.

"I'm not surprised," Bjorkman said. "He's so smart. He plays with his head."

Although he has a busy schedule of television broadcasting and senior events this year, McEnroe did not rule out playing another ATP tournament.

"Maybe I can find some of the younger American guys to play with," he said.

"I've got to enjoy this for a little bit, so I'm going to take a few months off and then go back to where I belong on the seniors tour."