Two of my favorite people… John McEnroe and David letterman. I remember in grade school telling my parents I had a stomach ache so I could stay home and watch Dave’s daytime show.
I watched it too, and enjoyed the smart, irreverent, goofy humor, which was a new angle on comedy at that time. Although I liked his nighttime show (except maybe the last couple years), I still enjoyed the daytime show best, because he seemed to play a lot "looser" then.
I like to think of McEnroe as the John Madden of tennis. But while the great John Madden brought color and excitement to the broadcast, McEnroe brings even more. He tells us how players think, how situations change during a match, and other insights that make the competition more interesting. And he does it all with humility and zero ego. It's a refreshing new side of him that we didn't see when he was playing.
Late 70’s thru early 80’s tennis was put on the map with the perfect storm of personality/talent with the likes of John, Jimmy and Bjorn…now that was true sports drama at its best.
this is what i love about McEnroe. He tells you precisely where you stand. Hes not trying to hurt your feelings..... hes trying to be as honest with you as possible.
@@ronbuil6923 I can see making the argument for that statement. McEnroe never did any other type of physical training, all he did was play tennis. And becoming one of the best in the world at it would demonstrate a natural ability.
Something about McEnroe's life really touched Letterman. He really must have loved those Borg McEnroe matches. Great movie about Borg and McEnroe was released, recently. Who knew they were similar at one time?
What a great interview. Man, Dave was completely focused and attentive to JM and every detail of the conversation. He was so genuine and truly interested. He's not usually like that, in my view.
I’m a big fan of both, and I knew that Mr Jones wasn’t gonna be there. I’m very familiar with that story, I read it in John’s book and I’ve heard it in other interviews
Always remember Mac saying with his usual arrogance but also confidence, that he was angry Borg quit the game as ' the world then did not get to see more of the best tennis and games ever'. Fact is, he was right. The tension and absolute drama of their 1980 final was incredible. It was indeed a tragedy we did not get more repeats of this. The next times they played Borg was giving up and about to retire.
1:55 - Just goes to show how often misunderstood McEnroe is. I understood that compliment perfectly the first time he said it while the audience reacts like that... and it even didn't click right away with Dave which is pretty funny for a supposedly good listener that he is.
@@gardenwarrior77 John said "The older I get, the better I used to be", then he said, "unlike Dave", meaning Dave was getting better as he got older. Went over Dave's and the audience's heads.
I was a ranked junior tennis player (too small to be really good) when McEnroe had those epic battles with Borg. He was my favorite. I was really sad when he lost in the US Open semis to Sampras- I reallized that was the end of an era. I love both these guys - they were such a part of our lives back then.
Aren’t all the top helliweird entertainment, industry created multimillionaire sellout deceiver, male tennis players, gender inverted biological females, masquerading as males, and Vice Versa regarding the top female tennis players allegedly?
@@mickydee7502 Being English, any sporting hero of mine would normally be English or represent England. As Mac is American, i thought i'd point that out, i hope that clears it up?
@@MillwallOlly There's something nefarious behind that 🤔 😁 Today's players would have difficulties with wooden racquets. I miss those days where you attack the net
Two guys who made it on their own terms. Not surprising they have a huge mutual respect for one another. The new McEnroe documentary on Showtime is great BTW.
I seriously think something happened around the turn of the century. I don't know if it was September 11th or what, but that was when Dave started tanking.He'd joke about how he wasn't really trying anymore, but I think it was really true, once he figured out CBS wasn't ever going to fire him, he stopped trying. And I really think the main reason he stayed on the air as long as he did was because he wanted to beat Johnny's record.
Just watched McEnroe's special on Showtime last night. The old footage is, of course classic - but it was cool to see how his life evolved. To hear his adult children speak about what kind of dad he was. Seems like overall he did a pretty good job with them.
I tried playing like John McEnroe, serve and volley, etc. It really messed up my game for a while. Then I realized he has a very unusual style and a soft touch, plus he's a lefty.
you got to love mac. hes a straight forward honest person. a rare gem. even tho he comes across ego arrogrant. and a huge cry baby when he played. but i think its he played a role to get an edge. but i see him as an true honest person.
Classic - McEnroe and Connors always my favorites growing up. And I grew up watching letterman - I started watching him at 1230after Carson. I was in grade school I’d be going to school exhausted 😆
I did some work for Mr. Head, the founder of the Head sports equipment company. As the story goes, he had some success with his first venture which was developing better skis. He bought a nice-sized house down the street from me and happen to have a tennis court. He tried playing tennis but wasn't very good. He decided to engineer a new tennis racket with a larger sweet spot, helping him hit the ball more often and better. So, Mr. Head may have contributed to the increase in racket size across the industry.
I met John McEnroe in Hong Kong in a bar. He came in and was dodging people who were chasing him. Myself and several more Sailors knew who he was, he asked for help in hiding from them. We hid him till the people passed by. He stayed a while, bought us beer, told some jokes, and shook hands with all of us and left. Nice guy, not what you see on TV. Thanks John, you made our day!
Huh, never seen him in an interview situation before. Impressed! SO likeable, actually! Very intelligent, affable. Pretty danged funny, too! John McEnroe was great, too!
@@charlesray9674 I've used them and the wooden rackets ARE more uncomfortable but they also force you TO STRATEGIZE and PRIORITIZE shots. Tennis is too much of a power game now for both the Men's and Women's sides. It's boring to watch matches that are decided mostly on power serves and swings. It would be a completely different game like it was in the 1970s and early 1980s if they brought back wooden rackets. They're TOO DUMB to do this because people are addicted to power rackets. To be honest, I was never that good a player but I noticed I had an easier time controlling the ball with thinner rackets and smaller faces. Baseball did the right thing for its sport by standardizing bats and balls.
7:15 into it John makes a disparaging, agism remark "Umpires falling asleep on the job.. 65-year-old guys calling the lines...." Then Dave makes an off-the-cuff joke and says "Paul? I... Just checking to see if you're awake." That's some quick thinking, he's a really sharp guy.
I used to love watching MaEnroe play because I knew there would be fireworks. In one match he called a line judge "Mr. Incompetent." I was always hoping he would throw his racket or cuss someone out but he managed to control his temper enough so that it never went that far.
I recall that Mad Magazine had a parody of sports cards and the one for Ilie Nastase was a caricature of him fuming, holding a racket in one hand and flipping the bird with the other.
The era of tennis that McEnroe was involved in was truly on of the best eras of any sport. The matches between McEnroe V Lendl were amazing battles. Also as much as an A-hole McEnroe can be, he is also very likeable. I respect anyone who says what is on their mind instead of walking on eggshells.
Used to hate McEnroe when he acted like a brat in the late 70's but Ive completely changed my mind about him these days. Great pundit and very likeable.
![Lp. Последняя Реальность #98 МАСШТАБНЫЙ ПРОТЕСТ [Открытие Правды] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/KGwNNseNeJo/mqdefault.jpg)
gotta love John, he's not only very direct, but he's also very accurate and fun to listen too
8:53 - David Bowie story
Two of my favorite people… John McEnroe and David letterman. I remember in grade school telling my parents I had a stomach ache so I could stay home and watch Dave’s daytime show.
@@Hugatree1 I just googled it. Thanks
I was legit sick for a week and watched the show everyday.
I had the Measles And the Chicken Pox when I was a kid. That doesn't sound right...
I watched it too, and enjoyed the smart, irreverent, goofy humor, which was a new angle on comedy at that time. Although I liked his nighttime show (except maybe the last couple years), I still enjoyed the daytime show best, because he seemed to play a lot "looser" then.
"The older I get the better I used to be". Great line.
Reminded me a bit of the famous quote from Gary Player the golfer who said, ....."The harder I practise, the luckier I get." .....
Swiped from Lee Trevino wasn't it?
@@mnd1955 lee does have a real gift of gab
I'm stealing that one for myself.
McEnroe breathes life and excitement into every match he calls.
Absolutely, his reading of a match as it unfolds is second to none.
Agreed. McEnroe never planned on having a career after tennis in broadcasting. Watch his fascinating interview with Graham Bensinger
I like to think of McEnroe as the John Madden of tennis.
But while the great John Madden brought color and excitement to the broadcast, McEnroe brings even more. He tells us how players think, how situations change during a match, and other insights that make the competition more interesting. And he does it all with humility and zero ego. It's a refreshing new side of him that we didn't see when he was playing.
Don't remember saying that 🤔😂
Too many people got offended by John, there was so much humour in his work that they missed.
Never seen Dave so truly respectful.
the agassi interview is good too.
Dave didn't wanna find out if John could still turn into a banshee over an officially wrong comment.
Late 70’s thru early 80’s tennis was put on the map with the perfect storm of personality/talent with the likes of John, Jimmy and Bjorn…now that was true sports drama at its best.
True. So many amazing grand slam matches in that era.
Not nearly long enough!
I could listen to John MacEnroe for an hour and still want more. He is wonderfully honest and straightforward.
McEnroe and Harrison Ford are the most unfiltered guest and two of my favorites being interviewed by anyone!!
this is what i love about McEnroe. He tells you precisely where you stand. Hes not trying to hurt your feelings..... hes trying to be as honest with you as possible.
That’s a New Yorker
So sweet. 2 degrees of separation, John dated my best friend in college when they were in high school.
John McEnroe is the most unorthodox and most naturally talented tennis player ever.
Is he?
@@ronbuil6923 I can see making the argument for that statement. McEnroe never did any other type of physical training, all he did was play tennis. And becoming one of the best in the world at it would demonstrate a natural ability.
@@marcd1981 I think it was mostly the eye/hand coordination - amazingly quick and agile.
Ummm, for your statement to be true do you have to combine both of your descriptions of him? Because otherwise he is neither.
Dave thanking John towards the end there is as close to sentimental as Dave ever gets.
And John retorted with the same sentiment so quickly and so naturally too...
yes. a great moment
Two masters of their crafts. The mutual respect brings a smile to my face, in a time where smiles just don't happen often. Great interview.
To, Two, Too. So close, a 1 in 3 chance.
@@OMGWTFLOLSMH ?!? What are you talking about? There are no errors in his comment.
Something about McEnroe's life really touched Letterman. He really must have loved those Borg McEnroe matches. Great movie about Borg and McEnroe was released, recently. Who knew they were similar at one time?
What a great interview. Man, Dave was completely focused and attentive to JM and every detail of the conversation. He was so genuine and truly interested. He's not usually like that, in my view.
His last comment is a testament to that. He admires McEnroe.
Wanna know something, I was gonna write almost exactly what you wrote, Thanks! 😆
Mac draws attention out of everyone he talks to.
I completely agree❣️👍🏼
When Letterman had his heart procrdure Johnny Mac hosted the show.
Am I the only one that waited the entire interview for Bowie to show up?
No your Not........!!
I’m a big fan of both, and I knew that Mr Jones wasn’t gonna be there. I’m very familiar with that story, I read it in John’s book and I’ve heard it in other interviews
Yep. It was all of ten seconds, in spite of it being the title of the video.
He was always a quick thinker. His responses are as sharp as his volleys.
Always remember Mac saying with his usual arrogance but also confidence, that he was angry Borg quit the game as ' the world then did not get to see more of the best tennis and games ever'.
Fact is, he was right. The tension and absolute drama of their 1980 final was incredible. It was indeed a tragedy we did not get more repeats of this. The next times they played Borg was giving up and about to retire.
This is an interview masterclass for both hosts and guests. Wonderful conversation, wit, banter, and entertainment!
So obviously rehearsed.
Greatest Tennis player to ever play Tennis! God he made the sport fun!
Greatest in his era.
such a lovely conversation. I enjoyed every second of it. These gentlemen are the true definition of being classy.
Really entertaiining. Mcenroe is perfect talk show guest, full of personality and totally engaged.
1:55 - Just goes to show how often misunderstood McEnroe is. I understood that compliment perfectly the first time he said it while the audience reacts like that... and it even didn't click right away with Dave which is pretty funny for a supposedly good listener that he is.
@@gardenwarrior77 John said "The older I get, the better I used to be", then he said, "unlike Dave", meaning Dave was getting better as he got older. Went over Dave's and the audience's heads.
Wow. Dave masterfully managed John's ego. Great interview
that's because they respect each other :) ... I can see a huge respect coming from john towards dave. otherwise ... :D
The fact that he's a legit musician as well and meeting David Bowie
So enjoyable. Mc Enrol is so intelligent, and Dave is such a great interviewer
Dave was passionate about this one. He normally sleepwalks through his movie and TV celeb interviews.
Gotta admit - this was a great interview and McEnroe was a great guest. Both of these guys are witty as heck.
Great interview. Rare to see Dave admire someone that much
I was a ranked junior tennis player (too small to be really good) when McEnroe had those epic battles with Borg. He was my favorite. I was really sad when he lost in the US Open semis to Sampras- I reallized that was the end of an era. I love both these guys - they were such a part of our lives back then.
He did take a set against the machine that was Sampras back then. Sampras control of his serve games was bananas.
I remember that match!
@@maddymud yes
"(too small to be really good)"
With all due respect, how do you explain Diego Schwartzman?
@@georgegoulet5545 Or Michael Chang
Saw him play back in the day and he was unique. Scrawniest athlete ever. Now, he's the best commentator. A witty clever guy who doesn't talk bs.
Aren’t all the top helliweird entertainment, industry created multimillionaire sellout deceiver, male tennis players, gender inverted biological females, masquerading as males, and Vice Versa regarding the top female tennis players allegedly?
Way refreshing honesty (and talent)... reminds me in multiples of a good friend who played the tennis circuit.
I'm English but John McEnroe has always been a sporting hero of mine.
Back when tennis was awesome.
why do you have to say you're English, what was your point/purpose?
@@mickydee7502 Being English, any sporting hero of mine would normally be English or represent England. As Mac is American, i thought i'd point that out, i hope that clears it up?
@@MillwallOlly RACIST!!
@@MillwallOlly There's something nefarious behind that 🤔
😁 Today's players would have difficulties with wooden racquets. I miss those days where you attack the net
Two guys who made it on their own terms. Not surprising they have a huge mutual respect for one another. The new McEnroe documentary on Showtime is great BTW.
He's captivating
So glad I was around when John was playing.
I loved watching McEnroe! He had so much passion, his game was top notch and his passion made his complaining to the refs just as much fun to watch! 💞
Wow what an interview. The best Ive seen of Letterman. Didnt realise we got so bad compared even to 1996
I seriously think something happened around the turn of the century. I don't know if it was September 11th or what, but that was when Dave started tanking.He'd joke about how he wasn't really trying anymore, but I think it was really true, once he figured out CBS wasn't ever going to fire him, he stopped trying. And I really think the main reason he stayed on the air as long as he did was because he wanted to beat Johnny's record.
He is the narrator on a Netflix show called "never have i ever" , he is hysterical!!!!!!!!!
Indeed, Mac’s narration is sooooo funny! Totally recommended.
Great player and articulate to boot.
... John is an incredibly entertaining speaker. Definitely an intellect as fierce as that temper. Love to hear him speak the truth...
Just watched McEnroe's special on Showtime last night. The old footage is, of course classic - but it was cool to see how his life evolved. To hear his adult children speak about what kind of dad he was. Seems like overall he did a pretty good job with them.
mcenroe did not have to rely on physical size and graphite rackets etc, he had natural talent and a desire to win.
Just watched this. Lol
Excellent interview by an excellent tennis player who brought much entertainment to the tennis world of champions
I tried playing like John McEnroe, serve and volley, etc. It really messed up my game for a while. Then I realized he has a very unusual style and a soft touch, plus he's a lefty.
He destroyed my game as well trying to play like him. No one could imitate his style of play...
I tried serving like him in a hard practice session and wrecked my back!
Super interview. So entertaining
you got to love mac. hes a straight forward honest person. a rare gem. even tho he comes across ego arrogrant. and a huge cry baby when he played. but i think its he played a role to get an edge. but i see him as an true honest person.
Excellent interview!
Love both these guys, 2 of the finest
YOU CAN NOT BE SERIOUS! This was a great clip with McEnroe.
We'll be right back with Illeana Douglas.
ATQJ!
I think David Letterman was the only one there to get the Rebel Rebel reference .
What a great interview!😁
Classic - McEnroe and Connors always my favorites growing up. And I grew up watching letterman - I started watching him at 1230after Carson. I was in grade school I’d be going to school exhausted 😆
The fact that he was playing Rebel Rebel seals it - John's the man.
He was the reason i watched Tennis back in the the day,...
Thanks for posting. Good stuff.
What a lovely person! When that match adrenaline hits on, well, that's a different story for everybody
his determination to keep eye contact is impressive. weird, but impressive 😆
Absolutely Great
An ace of an interview, I tell you.
I did some work for Mr. Head, the founder of the Head sports equipment company. As the story goes, he had some success with his first venture which was developing better skis. He bought a nice-sized house down the street from me and happen to have a tennis court. He tried playing tennis but wasn't very good. He decided to engineer a new tennis racket with a larger sweet spot, helping him hit the ball more often and better. So, Mr. Head may have contributed to the increase in racket size across the industry.
john mcenroe is who inspired me to play guitar
I met John McEnroe in Hong Kong in a bar. He came in and was dodging people who were chasing him. Myself and several more Sailors knew who he was, he asked for help in hiding from them. We hid him till the people passed by. He stayed a while, bought us beer, told some jokes, and shook hands with all of us and left. Nice guy, not what you see on TV. Thanks John, you made our day!
It's good to get the view of a gay man.
I honestly gave my story about meeting John McEnroe. I am not gay.
@@michaelkeith2116 I did not say you were. If you are, that's not a problem.
Both Superstars!
John for the most part became a great commentator after his tennis career. He's always enjoyable for me at least to listen to.
Great interview. Letterman at the top of his game had it all... rapier wit, charm and well informed smarts!!!
Pete Woodroffe Music
Luv his laugh 😃
Great stuff
Love John's shirt...
I always liked watching him play tennis matches.
I thought he was just an angry tennis player but he outsmarted David Letterman.
Absolutely sensational
The most natural position for a talk show host to sit: behind and to the left of the guest.
Bizarre.
Very strange
Very cool interview!
rockin the villainous chin beard lol
Huh, never seen him in an interview situation before. Impressed! SO likeable, actually! Very intelligent, affable. Pretty danged funny, too! John McEnroe was great, too!
McEnroe completely messed up his tennis career when he got hooked up with the Hollywood crowd. That completely changed the direction of his life.
Anyone else played with the 200G..........love listening to these guys.............great shirt..lol
love him
Where's the Dave and Johnny Mac buddy car trip movie we did know we needed???
Jonny Mac was the reason I got into tennis. My tennis idol
Such a cool guy
Him and Connors made it worth watching tennis. I haven't watched tennis since they retired.
McEnroe is so correct about wood racquets. Graphite should be for children, in the same way aluminum bats are.
The sport gave into the equipment manufacturers.
That was one of THE BIGGEST mistakes the professional sport of tennis made.
@@AvengerII Agreed. Today's players would have troubles with the wooden racquets.
@@charlesray9674 I've used them and the wooden rackets ARE more uncomfortable but they also force you TO STRATEGIZE and PRIORITIZE shots.
Tennis is too much of a power game now for both the Men's and Women's sides. It's boring to watch matches that are decided mostly on power serves and swings.
It would be a completely different game like it was in the 1970s and early 1980s if they brought back wooden rackets.
They're TOO DUMB to do this because people are addicted to power rackets. To be honest, I was never that good a player but I noticed I had an easier time controlling the ball with thinner rackets and smaller faces.
Baseball did the right thing for its sport by standardizing bats and balls.
@@AvengerII And that's why there's so many "power" servers with poor ground stokes 😔
He knew what he was talking about back then... Look what happened -- the advancement in raquet technology finally killed the serve-and-volley style.
I used to watch Dave do the weather back in Indianapolis back in the early 70's.
I'm looking forward to the special on him this Sunday.
What channel?
What a beauty
MCENROE IS A GREAT PERSONALITY. EVERYBODY HAS BEEN LOBOTOMIZED THESE DAYS.
7:15 into it John makes a disparaging, agism remark "Umpires falling asleep on the job.. 65-year-old guys calling the lines...." Then Dave makes an off-the-cuff joke and says "Paul? I... Just checking to see if you're awake." That's some quick thinking, he's a really sharp guy.
I used to love watching MaEnroe play because I knew there would be fireworks. In one match he called a line judge "Mr. Incompetent." I was always hoping he would throw his racket or cuss someone out but he managed to control his temper enough so that it never went that far.
Yesssss!!! Stop the Lets! Been thinking this for ages and I am so glad that John thinks and said this as well.
I recall that Mad Magazine had a parody of sports cards and the one for Ilie Nastase was a caricature of him fuming, holding a racket in one hand and flipping the bird with the other.
The era of tennis that McEnroe was involved in was truly on of the best eras of any sport. The matches between McEnroe V Lendl were amazing battles. Also as much as an A-hole McEnroe can be, he is also very likeable. I respect anyone who says what is on their mind instead of walking on eggshells.
McEnroes grown on me over the years.
He is not gay but it is good to see he appeals to gay men like you.
When men were men. I have a great deal of respect for both of these guys. They both seem like men of conviction to me.
very cool ❤️
I always loved that BRAT !
Paul's suit is sharp!
A little harsh on the Jensen brothers - they managed to win a major doubles title .
Agree. they brought fun and the public to doubles.
Mac loves RUSH !
Used to hate McEnroe when he acted like a brat in the late 70's but Ive completely changed my mind about him these days. Great pundit and very likeable.
Luke and Murphy won the French Open doubles.