Two of my most favorite players I grew up with in the 80s. Amazing players and sportsman.. good to see John looking in great shape...its always a pleasure watching these two even now...brings back so many memories...👍
Jimmy Connors, Arthur Ashe, Yannick Noah, Pat Cash, Ivan Lendl, Mats Wilander, Björn Borg, Boris Becker, Henry Leconte, John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Stefan Edberg, Patrick Rafter, Jim Courier, Michael Chang, Goran ivanisevic, Gustavo Kuerten - Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles Just to name a few. What times those were. Great and unique character. Super tennis player. With format and charisma. Today everything seems cloned.
I remember not liking Lendl in his heyday. His personality was something he never showed on the court. His competitive nature sure. I’ve seen a few interviews over the past few yrs and he is funny, articulate and really insightful. My opinion of him has done a 180 since. A true gentleman imo.
Absolutely. I was the same. During the 80s I always hated Lendl. But now seeing his personality, he is just an absolute stud. Such a cool guy. Too bad he didn't show that side back then.
They played in the golden age of Tennis. I loved Lendl. He always seems to be the underdog. Probably got his grit from being from Czechoslovakia...a tough place to grow up in 60s, 70s and 80s. McEnroe was one of the best serve & volley players and his game seemed no natural. Both, Connors, Ashe, Vilas, Gerulitas, Edberg, Wilander, Becker...tennis was a must watch those days.
He cracked me up on the US Open Roundtable with Mac and Wilander when they said he was kind of the Cold War villian in the 80s, and he goes "First of all, what do I have to do with Russia?!" lol... he was unfairly seen as a Warsaw Pact player because of his name
I am so grateful and feel fortunate that in my prime time i looked up to these guys playing tennis. McEnroe, Lendle, Edberg, Becker, Sampras, Agassi, Chang and list goes on. That was time when mens tennis was at its top with such variety of talented and different skills of players. I was able to learn so much just by watching them play each other. Now these guys are old and so am i which is little emotional because those time will never come back.
2 fantastic players who had some incredible battles and its great to see them getting back on the court. I was a big Mac fan but when it came time to play, I tried to copy Ivans style. His ground strokes were so powerful and precise and I didn't have the reflexes Mac had at the net. It was fun to watch those 2 titans battle it out.
I saw this 2 masters in the late 80's playing tennis at the inglewood forum...it was like a dream for me. I played tennis since 9 years old just for fun...and I hope I can be as healthy as these 2 masters
for anybody who loved tenis in the 80s that was good shit. They HATED each other!!! But older people share a common bond. Their both older & they in the same boat!!!
Everyone has their own preferences, but for me, this decade of tennis, mid-1980's to mid-1990's, was the real "golden era" for men's tennis. The most diverse cast of characters, and so many legends playing at one time! Connors and McEnroe were perhaps just past their prime, but still awesome to watch, and then you had so many legends like Lendl, Wilander, Becker, and Edberg, and then along came Agassi, Sampras, Chang, Courier (the last great American generation), etc. Nowadays (ever since the mid-2000's), it feels very "top heavy," with virtually the same guys dominating at every tournament. And the playing styles have become so similar at every tournament. The diversity back in the 80's and 90's was better for the game.
That is because organizer tried to homogenize the game by slowing down everything so points can be played longer. If playing condition is pretty much the same across the tournaments, that favors the top players. It's harder to upset them if they don't have to adjust their game too much to different playing conditions.
One of the great rivalries. Pretty even in the majors against each other. Once Tony Roche showed Ivan how to volly it elevated Lendl's game to another level. I think McEnroe may regret saying Lendl wasn't a super-talented player like he was. Both were! But much different games.
Never saw Ivan play professionally with Wood, He was a real trend setter, One of the 1st players to use a graphite/ Fiberglass composite & the 1st really fit Player
Lendl developed a very good top spin back hand. His serve was big for time, but unconsistent at times. He won 8 slams and made 19 finals, including 8 straight us opens.
@W C. Lendl had the greatest one-handed topspin backhand in the graphite era of tennis! His underspin backhand was very good, but at times he could make the mistake of flattening out the underspin backhand by pushing it on a slightly flat trajectory, hitting the ball into the net like he did on at least one point in the 1988 U.S. Open final against Wilander.
Lendal is both funny and a class act. Tennis peaked in the 80's, when these guys left along with a few others like Borg and Conners, tennis jumped the shark, not from a talent standpoint, but it had personality and charisma and intrigue then, the game was played differently, the game from the 90's on changed dramatically, baseline rallies have destroyed the game. If you didn't watch tennis or played it in the 80's then you will not realize my point. You missed something real.
Had the sport kept the conventional sized heads of the wooden racquets (like the baseball officials kept the wooden bats instead of allowing aluminum to enter the sport) it would not have radically altered the game to merely baseline power shots as it is now.
They missed a great opportunity here....once it was clear that John couldn't play, Patrick should have suited up and given it a try...the cord would have loved it, and not asked for their money back....it would still be McEnroe vs Lendl
why didn't patrick play and take john's place?that picture is funny, showing a young ivan with all his hair, and an old johnny mac with white hair.what little hair he has left.
Que dire. Incontestablement John Mc Enroe, était un génie du Tennis, mais il lui aura manqué une condition physique irréprochable pour gagner le plus dur, physiquement, des grands tournois. Cela n'enlève en rien son immense talent. L'histoire le gardera au panthéon des très grands joueurs, avec un talent hors normes.
it's too bad that it seems mac has underated lendl, perhaps because of some hatred and jealousy..wonder had mac won the french if it woud be different treatment..
I agree. Some of the most talented players seemed to be prone to this bad habit, though. Just look what happened to Hingis versus Graf at the French Open 15 years later.. Both of them had terrible attitude. Hingis: "Graf is a great player, but the game has moved on, it´s more powerful and athletic now". McEnroe: "I have more talent in my little finger than Lendl in his whole body". And consequently both of them struggled to take their opponents serious. I am pretty sure that both might have won with a better attitude, and Lendl was even fair enough to acknowledge that "if we had played that match ten times, maybe I´d win only once." (www.menstennisforums.com/2-general-messages/15147-lendl-fathers-new-ambition-c-p.html , 5th entry) Just imagine McEnroe making a statement like that .. wouldn´t happen in a thousand years .. ;)
I agree. When these 2 guys were playing I loved tennis. However never pulled for either of them to win. Tremendous dislike for both. Loved it when Conners would kick Lendl’s ass at the US Open. Jimbo’s records outweigh either of these guys. Remember Jimmy was years older then most of his opponents at that time.
A lousy human being, really? You mean like him helping children(and other charities) out financially all around the world and often in areas where most people aren't aware of. Oh, you mean on tennis court with a few swear words. You seem like someone who worships all the tabloid nonsense. Get a reality check!
sport was still sport in the 80s. Now, it is all about the $$$$$$ Think "FIXED" and you're onto it. Don't watch sport. Be smart and educate yourself about this short life, which is chalf in the wind. Don't waste your time. PEACE
Two of my most favorite players I grew up with in the 80s. Amazing players and sportsman.. good to see John looking in great shape...its always a pleasure watching these two even now...brings back so many memories...👍
Beautiful beautiful interaction.
Jimmy Connors, Arthur Ashe, Yannick Noah, Pat Cash, Ivan Lendl, Mats Wilander, Björn Borg, Boris Becker, Henry Leconte, John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Stefan Edberg, Patrick Rafter, Jim Courier, Michael Chang, Goran ivanisevic, Gustavo Kuerten - Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles
Just to name a few. What times those were. Great and unique character. Super tennis player. With format and charisma.
Today everything seems cloned.
I remember not liking Lendl in his heyday. His personality was something he never showed on the court. His competitive nature sure. I’ve seen a few interviews over the past few yrs and he is funny, articulate and really insightful. My opinion of him has done a 180 since. A true gentleman imo.
Most people from communist countries don't show their personalities in public.
@@watching99134 What a load of nonsense ...ha ha ha
Absolutely. I was the same. During the 80s I always hated Lendl. But now seeing his personality, he is just an absolute stud. Such a cool guy. Too bad he didn't show that side back then.
They played in the golden age of Tennis. I loved Lendl. He always seems to be the underdog. Probably got his grit from being from Czechoslovakia...a tough place to grow up in 60s, 70s and 80s. McEnroe was one of the best serve & volley players and his game seemed no natural. Both, Connors, Ashe, Vilas, Gerulitas, Edberg, Wilander, Becker...tennis was a must watch those days.
Lendl might look serious and show little emotion often but i really think that deep down he is a nice guy. One of the best ever
He cracked me up on the US Open Roundtable with Mac and Wilander when they said he was kind of the Cold War villian in the 80s, and he goes "First of all, what do I have to do with Russia?!" lol... he was unfairly seen as a Warsaw Pact player because of his name
These days showing restraint is considered unfashionable. He is a strong and beautiful person. I m a McEnroe fan and saying that.
John is awesome. My fav player to watch and listen to , soo quick-witted 👌
I am so grateful and feel fortunate that in my prime time i looked up to these guys playing tennis. McEnroe, Lendle, Edberg, Becker, Sampras, Agassi, Chang and list goes on. That was time when mens tennis was at its top with such variety of talented and different skills of players. I was able to learn so much just by watching them play each other. Now these guys are old and so am i which is little emotional because those time will never come back.
I'm a huge McEnroe fan and remember their "heated" rivalry very well. It's nice they can be friendly now. Legends in the game.
They both were sworn enemies back then. But just look at them now. They both just love each other deep down, two old mature Champions!👌🏽💐💐💐
How could anyone dislike Lendl? To me, he's just the best back in the day & even more now
Lee Lee Mac brought out the best in him, but he creates something which feels good everywhere!
Lee Lee agree. I wanted to marry him. Love from south africa.
for sure Lee
these two guys disliked each other with a passion back in the days but now its nice to see these two liking each other.
lendl sounds like the terminator! seriously respect to both men..
2 fantastic players who had some incredible battles and its great to see them getting back on the court. I was a big Mac fan but when it came time to play, I tried to copy Ivans style. His ground strokes were so powerful and precise and I didn't have the reflexes Mac had at the net. It was fun to watch those 2 titans battle it out.
I saw this 2 masters in the late 80's playing tennis at the inglewood forum...it was like a dream for me. I played tennis since 9 years old just for fun...and I hope I can be as healthy as these 2 masters
for anybody who loved tenis in the 80s that was good shit. They HATED each other!!! But older people share a common bond. Their both older & they in the same boat!!!
Everyone has their own preferences, but for me, this decade of tennis, mid-1980's to mid-1990's, was the real "golden era" for men's tennis. The most diverse cast of characters, and so many legends playing at one time! Connors and McEnroe were perhaps just past their prime, but still awesome to watch, and then you had so many legends like Lendl, Wilander, Becker, and Edberg, and then along came Agassi, Sampras, Chang, Courier (the last great American generation), etc.
Nowadays (ever since the mid-2000's), it feels very "top heavy," with virtually the same guys dominating at every tournament. And the playing styles have become so similar at every tournament. The diversity back in the 80's and 90's was better for the game.
RIP world since 2000.
Mac wrote in his book when he was playing there were 4-5 world champions were in the top 10...
That is because organizer tried to homogenize the game by slowing down everything so points can be played longer. If playing condition is pretty much the same across the tournaments, that favors the top players. It's harder to upset them if they don't have to adjust their game too much to different playing conditions.
I was hoping that Lendl would say "The reason why the picture, is because you said it earlier, you're working for me."
One of the great rivalries. Pretty even in the majors against each other. Once Tony Roche showed Ivan how to volly it elevated Lendl's game to another level. I think McEnroe may regret saying Lendl wasn't a super-talented player like he was. Both were! But much different games.
Lendl was great but there has no more talented player than Mac.
Lendl better than McEnroe in lots of ways, playing, conduct and general personalities, McEnroe the jerk.
Never saw Ivan play professionally with Wood, He was a real trend setter, One of the 1st players to use a graphite/ Fiberglass composite & the 1st really fit Player
Great response from Lendl over the picture question at the end 😄
I swear, if I close my eyes I can hear only two person talking... John n Ivan... 😂 😂 😂 Patrick sound so much of his big bro... Awesome.. 👍👍👍👍👍
It's amazing they even talk these days. I remember they jawed at each other and got on each others last nerve.
McEnroe is listed at about 5'11 and Lendl is listed at about 6'2, but here they look about the same, or McEnroe looks a half inch taller!
Unforgettable champions !
“The greatest arena in the world”. Hmm? I’m sure John says something similar at Wimbledon. Enjoyable interview though.
hahaha good stuff, nice banter from two living legends of tennis
I still love John McEnroe ❤
Lendl actually has a personality! Who knew? :D
multi io McEnroe has the sound of a guy who wants to be down to kick it but not really.
real fans knew
The sound is totally out of sync with the people's mouth movements.
I would like to hear Ivan say "Volvo International" for old time sake.
I remember Lend was a an absolute cyborg on the court never got tired. If he had a better serve and backhand he would base won more Titles.
Lendl developed a very good top spin back hand. His serve was big for time, but unconsistent at times. He won 8 slams and made 19 finals, including 8 straight us opens.
Ball toss too high. He used gut strings and small racket his whole career, and came up in an era where the serve was not as huge a weapon.
@W C. Lendl had the greatest one-handed topspin backhand in the graphite era of tennis! His underspin backhand was very good, but at times he could make the mistake of flattening out the underspin backhand by pushing it on a slightly flat trajectory, hitting the ball into the net like he did on at least one point in the 1988 U.S. Open final against Wilander.
Also he was another example of having to play against the opponent and the crowd.
Lendal is both funny and a class act. Tennis peaked in the 80's, when these guys left along with a few others like Borg and Conners, tennis jumped the shark, not from a talent standpoint, but it had personality and charisma and intrigue then, the game was played differently, the game from the 90's on changed dramatically, baseline rallies have destroyed the game. If you didn't watch tennis or played it in the 80's then you will not realize my point. You missed something real.
Had the sport kept the conventional sized heads of the wooden racquets (like the baseball officials kept the wooden bats instead of allowing aluminum to enter the sport) it would not have radically altered the game to merely baseline power shots as it is now.
Looks like you missed your sound matching. Anyway thanks the match itself was awesome for what it was.
They missed a great opportunity here....once it was clear that John couldn't play, Patrick should have suited up and given it a try...the cord would have loved it, and not asked for their money back....it would still be McEnroe vs Lendl
McEnroe takes off shorts
Ivan: flashbacks lol
What an "Act" Johnny Mac is these days!!😇🤗
Including Mac, everybody connected with him has so much character and are the real deal!
Great player lendil was
McEnroe Brothes vs Ivan Lendl - Interview
why didn't patrick play and take john's place?that picture is funny, showing a young ivan with all his hair, and an old johnny mac with white hair.what little hair he has left.
Ivan certainly started enjoying food after retiring.
Patrick is the image of his dad
Wow, John was up 6-3 with a sprained ankle.
grand champions,ma jeunesse mes 20a
McEnroe seemed like he was having a hard time saying anything complimentary about Lendl and seeming sincere.
Lendl is so fuckin smart.
I liked the SERGIO TACHINNI shorts better and no I didn't spell it right
Yes it's Tacchini lol.
Que dire. Incontestablement John Mc Enroe, était un génie du Tennis, mais il lui aura manqué une condition physique irréprochable pour gagner le plus dur, physiquement, des grands tournois.
Cela n'enlève en rien son immense talent. L'histoire le gardera au panthéon des très grands joueurs, avec un talent hors normes.
MCENROE LE NUMÉRO 1 The goat
LENDL
it's too bad that it seems mac has underated lendl, perhaps because of some hatred and jealousy..wonder had mac won the french if it woud be different treatment..
I agree. Some of the most talented players seemed to be prone to this bad habit, though. Just look what happened to Hingis versus Graf at the French Open 15 years later..
Both of them had terrible attitude. Hingis: "Graf is a great player, but the game has moved on, it´s more powerful and athletic now". McEnroe: "I have more talent in my little finger than Lendl in his whole body".
And consequently both of them struggled to take their opponents serious.
I am pretty sure that both might have won with a better attitude, and Lendl was even fair enough to acknowledge that "if we had played that match ten times, maybe I´d win only once." (www.menstennisforums.com/2-general-messages/15147-lendl-fathers-new-ambition-c-p.html , 5th entry)
Just imagine McEnroe making a statement like that .. wouldn´t happen in a thousand years .. ;)
Tennis is so boring now when young talent couldn't displace the geezers
Patrick McEnroe was an ATP player, so that he could at least wield a tennis racquet.
I love Lendl
I agree. When these 2 guys were playing I loved tennis. However never pulled for either of them to win. Tremendous dislike for both. Loved it when Conners would kick Lendl’s ass at the US Open. Jimbo’s records outweigh either of these guys. Remember Jimmy was years older then most of his opponents at that time.
Jimbo was a cokehead (his last name is also Connors).
I loved Lendl....hated...despised.McEnroe (but he was great....but a lousy human bean....
Me, too!
A lousy human being, really? You mean like him helping children(and other charities) out financially all around the world and often in areas where most people aren't aware of. Oh, you mean on tennis court with a few swear words. You seem like someone who worships all the tabloid nonsense. Get a reality check!
I was a Lendl fan. Think John was a little jealous when Ivan started winning more often against John later in their rivalry.
sport was still sport in the 80s. Now, it is all about the $$$$$$ Think "FIXED" and you're onto it. Don't watch sport. Be smart and educate yourself about this short life, which is chalf in the wind. Don't waste your time. PEACE
No wonder I like to hear Fed speaking as he always is crisp and witty. McEnroe sounds like a fake sentimental drunk.
Why did tennis players have sooooo much more personality back then?? It’s all but anonymous now and so so boring
🇨🇿
Including Mac, everybody connected with him has so much character and are the real deal!