The greatest genius the game has ever seen....after the 1983 US Open loss, John went on to win 125 out of the next 130 matches, an unbelievable accomplishment !
Genius is an overused word. Mcenroe however is a true one off,in his style of play and the way he could manufacture a winning shot. He was without doubt the finest vollerer ever and the most naturally talented player l have ever seen.ln 84, he was at times close to genius.
McEnroe's performance in 83 and 84 was sublime. What so absolutely crushing way to play tennis! Just after the change from a wooden racket to a graphite one. His game took an exponential leap. However, in 1985 he decided to take a sabbatical period for that first half year to get married, and from then on he was never the same, he lost that spark, that inspiration, that speed to get up to the net, that intuition to know where the ball was going, those hits even from the back of the court taking advantage of the speed of the opponent's ball with those meager 37,5 lb of pressure on the strings of his graphite racket, not the wooden one, the graphite one, while others used 44 - 48, depending on the size of the racket.. In any case, trying to be consistent and regular with such a risky and complicated game style, especially on courts like clay where you have to keep your feet on the ground when hitting the ball, where he did it practically in the air, was very difficult to make it during much time, and that it started to seen in the Roland Garros final in 1984, although he followed winning along that year.
Absolutely should have won that match.. A couple calls went ivans way on purpose. They were very biased against John in France. John better than Ivan when both at there very best..
@@63002 Quit whining! I watched the 1984 French final. Lendl won and he didn't get any help from the Ref or linesmen.However, You're correct; at their very best, McEnroe was a bettered player.
So big Cosell was there! And a lot more USA players too... things sure have changed that's for sure. Here is an example of the beauty of the game. Power was no match for artistry :)
Actually Arthur was kind of a dick to Lendl. I'm surprised. I've met Arthur and Mac but yah there's a bit of an edge to his approach to Lendl, as if he took him lightly. Then look what happened.
I hated watching these two play back in the day because it was always a nailbighter. And I did not like Lendl. I actually enjoy the match up now and realize just how perfect these two were as nemesis. Really some fine tennis from both.
John O'Neill I'd call them "minor artists", in which Leconte's gestures were absolutely beautiful for example, as well as Edberg's backhands. Some of their shots were pieces of art, but they could not get to invent new and unique ways to use their body, their racquet and the court itself like Mac did, matter of factly painting his tennis in every point, and playing it like if it was a story (not always resulting into a masterpiece of course ;P). McEnroe was, my opinion of course, the only one whose game and personality in general elevated tennis to the status of art. Sampras and then Federer probably developed a more effective tennis while keeping an excellent style of game, but that's a different matter: they brought their sport at extremely high levels, but they stuck to playing a sport.
The greatest genius the game has ever seen....after the 1983 US Open loss, John went on to win 125 out of the next 130 matches, an unbelievable accomplishment !
I miss your game John what a fucking legend you were!!!Nobodycould do that again.
Ahhh I love watching Mac beat Lendl in baseline rallies. There's just something very satisfying about it.
Yeah I know right. Can't happen today as the game has morphed but yah it was a hoot!
56:38
People tend to forget how good John McEnroe’s ground strokes were, and how good his court coverage was. He was far more than just a net Rusher
Great overhead. Great slice Great return. Besides. The obvious gr8 serve and volley
Genius is an overused word. Mcenroe however is a true one off,in his style of play and the way he could manufacture a winning shot. He was without doubt the finest vollerer ever and the most naturally talented player l have ever seen.ln 84, he was at times close to genius.
Back when you could view professional tennis on the Big Three networks on any given weekend.
Oh god I know man.... ugghhhh.....
Mac’s timing...wow. Cosell calling Tennis...wow!
Something about Howard Cosell commentating on a McEnroe match seems very fitting.
McEnroe's performance in 83 and 84 was sublime. What so absolutely crushing way to play tennis! Just after the change from a wooden racket to a graphite one. His game took an exponential leap.
However, in 1985 he decided to take a sabbatical period for that first half year to get married, and from then on he was never the same, he lost that spark, that inspiration, that speed to get up to the net, that intuition to know where the ball was going, those hits even from the back of the court taking advantage of the speed of the opponent's ball with those meager 37,5 lb of pressure on the strings of his graphite racket, not the wooden one, the graphite one, while others used 44 - 48, depending on the size of the racket..
In any case, trying to be consistent and regular with such a risky and complicated game style, especially on courts like clay where you have to keep your feet on the ground when hitting the ball, where he did it practically in the air, was very difficult to make it during much time, and that it started to seen in the Roland Garros final in 1984, although he followed winning along that year.
If he only John had finished off that 4-2, 30-30 game in the fourth set at the French!
Absolutely should have won that match.. A couple calls went ivans way on purpose. They were very biased against John in France. John better than Ivan when both at there very best..
@@63002 Quit whining! I watched the 1984 French final. Lendl won and he didn't get any help from the Ref or linesmen.However, You're correct; at their very best, McEnroe was a bettered player.
So big Cosell was there! And a lot more USA players too... things sure have changed that's for sure. Here is an example of the beauty of the game. Power was no match for artistry :)
"battle of the network stars" will be broadcast in its entirety following the conclusion of this match
So incredible!!
Mecnroe was UNREAL
Lendl on the cusp of turning the tables against Mcenroe in the mid to late 80's. Robert at 67.
What's with the gaggling crowd during Lendl interview?
Actually Arthur was kind of a dick to Lendl. I'm surprised. I've met Arthur and Mac but yah there's a bit of an edge to his approach to Lendl, as if he took him lightly. Then look what happened.
1:19 Sorry Ivan
I hated watching these two play back in the day because it was always a nailbighter. And I did not like Lendl. I actually enjoy the match up now and realize just how perfect these two were as nemesis. Really some fine tennis from both.
was this before the 1984 US Open?
EXDRA100 no, it was before the FO
I still say that Laver had more artistry and talent than McEnroe, and Federer.
I beg to differ, McEnroe is probably the only tennis player who can be considered an artist.
Andrea G Only? There's Rosewall, Leconte, Laver, Edberg, Roche..so many more
John O'Neill I'd call them "minor artists", in which Leconte's gestures were absolutely beautiful for example, as well as Edberg's backhands. Some of their shots were pieces of art, but they could not get to invent new and unique ways to use their body, their racquet and the court itself like Mac did, matter of factly painting his tennis in every point, and playing it like if it was a story (not always resulting into a masterpiece of course ;P).
McEnroe was, my opinion of course, the only one whose game and personality in general elevated tennis to the status of art.
Sampras and then Federer probably developed a more effective tennis while keeping an excellent style of game, but that's a different matter: they brought their sport at extremely high levels, but they stuck to playing a sport.
John O'Neill c'est évident.Même des joueurs comme Nastase et Panatta
And you're WRONG!