Maybe this is why tennis players are moving to pickleball. The volley game is big in pickle. Tennis is a power game from the baseline, you are correct. It's become very one dimensional. Roger Federer was the last great volleyer to play the game. I think he was one of the best ever along with J. Mac.
I am from younger generation of tennis fans and serve and volley style is my favorite playing style to watch and use it when playing amateur club tenis and it really helps me considering I have a strong and consistent serve for amateur player and solid sprint speed and volley (along with one handed backhand). I hope it will make a big comeback (only Cressy, Struff, Muchova and Perricard use it frequently nowadays)
The most beautiful and efficient game of tennis the world has ever known. IMO he had the most dominant season of any player I can remember back in 1984. He was on another planet that year.
He definitely had the most beautiful game I have ever seen, and he had the most identifiable style ever. No-one has had a similar style of play to him, and no-one ever will. His serve, where his back was almost turned to the court. His forehand with its short backswing. His exquisite backhand. His volleys - Everything about McEnroe was unique and artistic.
Still to this day, I believe McEnroe is the best tennis player ever; for his mix of relentless aggressiveness, delicate touch volleys, charisma, understanding of the game, and a fiery personality that, in retrospect, contributed to the interest in the sport and its evolution.
I agree. There has never been a serve and volley player to rival him, and the fact is he had the best hands in the game....his touch shots were even more sublime than Federer's, and his serve, including the action, was pure badass.
One of a kind - he didn't blaze a path for others to follow : {contrarily to the power topspin forehand and 2-handed backhands) - extreme side-stance serve, hardly any backswing, tons of on-the-rise shots, touch and hitting shots that seem to come out of nowhere. Now we can only watch the replays or hopefully see him on the senior circuit of exhibitions.
Thanks for this.. Mac was definitely my favorite player to watch growing up. Hoping one day someone will go through his old footage and remaster the quality (if possible), like they do films. 🙏
I like McEnroe to this day. He's a winner and pretty funny too. But when I watched him in the "old days" I was kind of embarrassed by his behavior. I thought he lacked class like some of the other tennis greats. But he backed up his trash talk with his play and so he earned the right to be a jerk and get away with it :) Illie Nastase was another guy with great talent and super fun to watch but with a terrible temper and bad manners in a match.
I watched him live at the US open 1980 in his match against Jimmy Connors and final against Bjorn Borg. It was a great experience and I discover that he is the only player in the world that you can actually hear the spin of his serve and you can hear this on UA-cam videos too.
Watching him play was an experience, an exhilarating experience. He would manufacture shots at will, anywhere on the court. Didn't look as if the shots were a result of intense practise. They just happened. Even the best looked hapless against him.
@@staunchx That's a tough question. I didn't get to watch him until after his prime. I had a great tennis coach who told me that McEnroe would play better after he got angry. It was unfortunate when he got defaulted that one year at the Australian Open, of course. But his personality is as it was and is impossible to separate from his unique tennis. The contrast between fits of explosive rage and sublime inhuman grace with the raquet is utterly mesmerizing.
@@michaelgarza8271 Thats what made him so compelling to watch. I would agree with you & your coach, the intensity & grace did seem to compliment each other.
He splits steps perfectly right before the T of the service box about every time, this is a very dominant way to win your serves and then put the pressure back on your opponents. This gives your opponent no time to recover before they serve again. I know everyone here would agree that playing a great net player is not fun in singles or doubles. Genius 🤯
Thank you for posting this. If you've ever tried to actually SERVE & VOLLEY, you will know it's extremely hard. And that's why NOBODY DOES IT!!!! Look @ 1:55. That volley is so good it hurts.
Sublime! Player.. I remember watching Mac start a game holding 4 tennis balls..and the ball never touched his side of the court.. either an ace or volley winner..Or was I dreaming...
When people talk about good volleyers nowadays I can't see it. This is the standard. No one volleys close to McEnroe, Edberg. They don't. Not in singles. You see all players with big windups in the forehand volley. No one with that firm and compact volley gesture you need to control it. And this was done with smaller racket heads. 5 times the difficulty.
Tennis fans have always been fascinated by power. Even back in the 1970s. John, on the other hand, played tennis with a feather duster in his hand. At the height of his game, could take anyone’s heat and respond with the softest of touches. He would do right after exploding at an umpire.
saw him in Paris on hard court ... some run and hit , some , very few, fly and touch. As a pure fan ( and lefty ^^^) was able to serve like him, volley like him, have the same backhand, but his forehand was really hard to catch and solidify. for the end of the 70's i saw 2 cats on pro courts: Miroslav Mecir and, king of cats : John Macenroe :)
The only player who dominated in both singles and doubles in the grandslam....during his best years...even up to now, he csn still beat top 10 players in doubles play paired with any top player of today.
He wasn’t the best ever, but he was the most fascinating. Love him or hate him, you couldn’t look away. Johnny Mac and Borg were to tennis what Magic and Bird were to the NBA.
Mac was incredible. Am I the only one that liked the era of collared shirts as well? Maybe its stuffy to some, but I think the players today look like bums. I really believe the collar gave the game a touch of class.
John was the Maestro before Pete came across. For ME - Pete Sampras was the best Serve & Volley Player EVER! Sampras, John, Becker, Edberg... so so much great there... But John was in his own League back in early times.
I grew up worshipping all the others serve and volley magicians but John was my hero. Instead today, watching modern tennis, it bores me too much. There are only heavy hitters who wait for the error of the opponent basically 🥱😴
If you like the video and want to support my channel, I would appreciate a subscription (or thumbs up). Have fun watching.
The total genius of all times. 💜🌈
God how I miss the Serve and Volley era. And Mac was/is an absolute Legend 🙌
I want that time back too. I was also a serve and volley player, but only with the amateurs.
Maybe this is why tennis players are moving to pickleball. The volley game is big in pickle. Tennis is a power game from the baseline, you are correct. It's become very one dimensional. Roger Federer was the last great volleyer to play the game. I think he was one of the best ever along with J. Mac.
Me too, I want that beautiful contrast in styles back.
I am from younger generation of tennis fans and serve and volley style is my favorite playing style to watch and use it when playing amateur club tenis and it really helps me considering I have a strong and consistent serve for amateur player and solid sprint speed and volley (along with one handed backhand). I hope it will make a big comeback (only Cressy, Struff, Muchova and Perricard use it frequently nowadays)
The most beautiful and efficient game of tennis the world has ever known. IMO he had the most dominant season of any player I can remember back in 1984. He was on another planet that year.
I agree
and his greatest match ever was in the greatest greatest match ever of the open era .... and he lost it in 84 :)
The most dominant season in tennis, 85 matches played - only 3 lost. That´s not just your opinion, that´s a fact.
He definitely had the most beautiful game I have ever seen, and he had the most identifiable style ever.
No-one has had a similar style of play to him, and no-one ever will.
His serve, where his back was almost turned to the court. His forehand with its short backswing. His exquisite backhand. His volleys - Everything about McEnroe was unique and artistic.
Still to this day, I believe McEnroe is the best tennis player ever; for his mix of relentless aggressiveness, delicate touch volleys, charisma, understanding of the game, and a fiery personality that, in retrospect, contributed to the interest in the sport and its evolution.
one can agree.
I do agree, personally. Nicely put
I agree. There has never been a serve and volley player to rival him, and the fact is he had the best hands in the game....his touch shots were even more sublime than Federer's, and his serve, including the action, was pure badass.
I agree.
Agree absolutely. Nobody can take his place.
Never saw him play, but the guy was an artist.
yes he was
Saw him live, kooyong Melbourne, a few feet away, versus gullikson, absolutely amazing to see....
@@davidwright2379 I envy you...I've seen Agassi, Becker, Stich, Sampras live, unfortunately never McEnroe.
@@bluecat353 Mac was unbelievable, watching his serve move around on grass courts was really something, volley was sublime
McEnroe was a spectacular talent with his volleys. Makes me want to serve & volley more.
Get into Pickleball if you want to get into volleying. It's very fast and fun. I just picked up the game after a lifetime of tennis.
One of a kind - he didn't blaze a path for others to follow : {contrarily to the power topspin forehand and 2-handed backhands)
- extreme side-stance serve, hardly any backswing, tons of on-the-rise shots, touch and hitting shots that seem to come out of nowhere.
Now we can only watch the replays or hopefully see him on the senior circuit of exhibitions.
I always enjoy watching John.
Yes, without midsize and oversize graphite tools, top spin is much harder to achieve and Mcenroe wohld have maybe won sone more slams.
The other player who hit the ball "on the rise" was Jimmy Conners. He blasted the ball from both wings with his T-2000 racket!
McEnroe not bending on his volleys while being the best net player ever speaks for itself. Such talent!
It's unconventional but highly efficient as the legs don't burn as much
@@mjhastings4534Pure Talent, meeting the ball at exactly the right time to transfer the balls inertia with absolutely NO effort!! Genius 👋👋
John remains certainly among the top most talented champions in the modern tennis field. We admire et we respect.
Thanks for this.. Mac was definitely my favorite player to watch growing up. Hoping one day someone will go through his old footage and remaster the quality (if possible), like they do films. 🙏
Thanks so much. I have two more videos of John, I hope you saw them too. Love from
I like McEnroe to this day. He's a winner and pretty funny too. But when I watched him in the "old days" I was kind of embarrassed by his behavior. I thought he lacked class like some of the other tennis greats. But he backed up his trash talk with his play and so he earned the right to be a jerk and get away with it :) Illie Nastase was another guy with great talent and super fun to watch but with a terrible temper and bad manners in a match.
I watched him live at the US open 1980 in his match against Jimmy Connors and final against Bjorn Borg. It was a great experience and I discover that he is the only player in the world that you can actually hear the spin of his serve and you can hear this on UA-cam videos too.
Wow, you saw a great tournament in 1980. I loved all those guys. Each unique, and each a winner and a fighter to the MAX.
Watch a good pro kick serve and you will be able to hear the spin too.
Watching him play was an experience, an exhilarating experience. He would manufacture shots at will, anywhere on the court. Didn't look as if the shots were a result of intense practise. They just happened. Even the best looked hapless against him.
The best volley player ever.
What a great video. Mac was great but in my opinion he underachieved with all his talent.
Forgot to add: NEW SUB now!
I saw him play at Queens club, but watching him here now, I get the distinct impression he was the most efficient player ever to grace the game.
How I envy you to have seen him play live.
@@bluecat353 He would never get away these days with the language he was using back then, but it was great to see him serve and volley on grass.
@@brenhugh I like to think so
One of the greatest artists of the 20th century.
No doubt about it. Do you think Mac's on court battles with umpires & temper tantrums helped or hurt his game?
@@staunchx That's a tough question. I didn't get to watch him until after his prime. I had a great tennis coach who told me that McEnroe would play better after he got angry. It was unfortunate when he got defaulted that one year at the Australian Open, of course. But his personality is as it was and is impossible to separate from his unique tennis. The contrast between fits of explosive rage and sublime inhuman grace with the raquet is utterly mesmerizing.
@@michaelgarza8271 Thats what made him so compelling to watch. I would agree with you & your coach, the intensity & grace did seem to compliment each other.
Thanks for posting. Perhaps you could show next a video of Mac’s low volleys and half volleys
good idea
His great left hand slice serve set him up for great a volley.
He splits steps perfectly right before the T of the service box about every time, this is a very dominant way to win your serves and then put the pressure back on your opponents. This gives your opponent no time to recover before they serve again. I know everyone here would agree that playing a great net player is not fun in singles or doubles. Genius 🤯
When S&V🎾 died so did my love for the sport. Mac was the best and Edberg was right there.
That final point against Lendl!
McEnroe is my all time favourite tennis player. GOAT 👍
Thank you for posting this. If you've ever tried to actually SERVE & VOLLEY, you will know it's extremely hard. And that's why NOBODY DOES IT!!!! Look @ 1:55. That volley is so good it hurts.
John Mc .. The Maverick eccentric lefty great to have ever adorned the great game of tennis
Il più grande di tutti i tempi
Sublime! Player.. I remember watching Mac start a game holding 4 tennis balls..and the ball never touched his side of the court.. either an ace or volley winner..Or was I dreaming...
When people talk about good volleyers nowadays I can't see it. This is the standard. No one volleys close to McEnroe, Edberg. They don't. Not in singles. You see all players with big windups in the forehand volley. No one with that firm and compact volley gesture you need to control it. And this was done with smaller racket heads. 5 times the difficulty.
The best of the best
Tennis fans have always been fascinated by power. Even back in the 1970s. John, on the other hand, played tennis with a feather duster in his hand.
At the height of his game, could take anyone’s heat and respond with the softest of touches. He would do right after exploding at an umpire.
Great work tennis world 👍
thank you
saw him in Paris on hard court ...
some run and hit , some , very few, fly and touch.
As a pure fan ( and lefty ^^^) was able to serve like him, volley like him, have the same backhand, but his forehand was really hard to catch and solidify.
for the end of the 70's i saw 2 cats on pro courts:
Miroslav Mecir
and, king of cats : John Macenroe :)
The only player who dominated in both singles and doubles in the grandslam....during his best years...even up to now, he csn still beat top 10 players in doubles play paired with any top player of today.
That's a great point about McEnroe, that he was the best in doubles too. He is a guy who still loves to VOLLEY!
mi sono fermato al 3.22 .quella è poesia .E' una cosa che nessun tennista attuale saprebbe fare .
Mac and Nasty are the best to watch for their skills.
He wasn’t the best ever, but he was the most fascinating. Love him or hate him, you couldn’t look away. Johnny Mac and Borg were to tennis what Magic and Bird were to the NBA.
When tennis actually had different styles.
Exactly, so monolithic & dull now. I've not watched in decades. ☹
Mac was incredible. Am I the only one that liked the era of collared shirts as well? Maybe its stuffy to some, but I think the players today look like bums. I really believe the collar gave the game a touch of class.
McEnroe = 🐐
i remembered being amazed by a pirrouete drop volley he executed against an aAussie top player in Wimby 1985...s p e c t a c u l s r！！
He serves and runs to the 'T' some steps behind ... ok i want to try it XD
John was the Maestro before Pete came across.
For ME - Pete Sampras was the best Serve & Volley Player EVER!
Sampras, John, Becker, Edberg... so so much great there...
But John was in his own League back in early times.
And to be honest, you could have done an hours-long video of this. These came from just the same handful of matches........
His volleying skills didn´t help him in that Stockholm Open final. A comfortable win for Borg.
スタンパンセン
The music is howfull and useless
Sotto rete il più grande di tutti i tempi , solo Laver alla sua altezza. Federer che dicono alcuni sia stato il più grande, non regge il confronto.
Le bon temps du service volley ajd les bourrins de fond de court ont même oublié qu’il y avait un filet au milieu du court !!!
There Is only One John Patrick McEnroe
I grew up worshipping all the others serve and volley magicians but John was my hero. Instead today, watching modern tennis, it bores me too much. There are only heavy hitters who wait for the error of the opponent basically 🥱😴