London - John McEnroe may finally be ready to call time on his senior career shortly after turning 50 next February 16.

"I think common sense should prevail," said the former bad boy whose tennis has been holding various senior tours together for more than a decade. "I turn 50 in February and have a commitment to play in Rio in March. After that things are pretty open-ended."

Mac, competing this week at the season-ending BlackRock Masters, said he might consider playing "just a few short events but I'm not sure about week-long tournaments."

Some marketing experts fear that events like the BlackRock may be doomed without the brash American's presence.

But others say that a new crop of seniors including former Wimbledon champion Stefan Edberg, Boris Becker, Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Patrick Rafter could easily keep fans interest in the niche sport which comprises 14 events.

McEnroe submits that his playing days are close to done: "I've done my bit," he insists. (dpa)