Remember watching McEnroe at Wimbledon in '85 and couldn't believe how much his game had deteriorated in 12 months. Lendl was the first true 'professional', his preparation and attitude was groundbreaking at that time. Changing racquets after six games (to keep string tension consistent), portfolio on every player on tour. Rebound surface court installed at his home, sweat bands on both wrists to stop sweat getting on his grip. Only player I ever saw at Wimbledon use the sawdust to help with perspiration on his hands (used to fill his pockets with it). First player to have his own racquet stringer on tour. He also began to use a separate racquet for serving and another for receiving.
I have always wondered how much longer McEnroe would have dominated for if he had continued his 1984 form. He was truly majestic and in my view, at his best, a great deal better than his contemporaries. What do others think?
Well sadly we’ll never know but one thing is for certain he raised the bar very high that year and got the new generation to come up with bigger first serves better second serves and a more professional approach to fitness training as well as more powerful tennis rackets. Mac’s best vs Ivan’s best Mats’s best Boris’s Jim’s Stefan’s Andre & Pete’s (although Andre & Pete’s best came up after John’s retirement) would have been great theatre and entertainment
This is his last big win , early 1985, after that it was all going down the hill for him, he lost a step and his flair after his break in early 1986......and he was never the same
Both Mac and John agreed that whoever came up with the higher first serve percentage would win and on that day and perhaps that year Mac almost inevitably was able to come up with a big first serve on big points which seemed to give him wings for the rest of his almost magical game. What a player he was at his best
Notice jow McEnroe started wearing Nike by this match, even though this match was technically part of the 84 tour, though played in January 85. Never understood why they played the Masters in January of the following year, thankfully they'd sorted that out by 86.
No se ve una de las curiosidades de la final: con 6-5 y servicio, McEnroe, esperando que los fotógrafos dejen sus flashes, se golpea con la bola en el ojo, necesitando asistencia médica. No le afectó porque ganó ese juego y los ocho siguientes.
"Why Bill Johnston and Bill Tilden were such great players, because they had overall superiority of the game." Game allowed them perform. What you have to do is to be rock solid, why Djokovic is one of strongest ever. He wasn't the first but learned after the game had their best players, and didn't have to use his most power. Lendl has not had technical advantage of the game that lefties are better than righties, are online here. McEnroe, even at his best: 5-7, 0-6, 4-6. McEnroe's using his speed to the net that was for more difficult, or Lendl beatin' power game players such Connors or Becker, if th'had not type of finesse variedly speed and power, learned game's like. Lendl had difficult vs solid volleyer's. Carefully studied which one McEnroe, or Lendl had it most. Both in greater balance. Connors winning '78, '79 Ashe had two matchpoints to losing McEnroe. '88 Becker def. Lendl 7-6 in the 5th. Overrulin' it in both occasions, since it took system to takeover, any rulin' or time pastmast!!
Mac the God. Unreal tennis
The greatest single season (as far as winning percentage (82-3)) of any player in the Open era will forever belong to Johnny Mac.
Glad he still has one record. For me he was the Federer of his day. Winning through racket skills and not just power.
Highest winning streak is lendl in 1982, check it
Remember watching McEnroe at Wimbledon in '85 and couldn't believe how much his game had deteriorated in 12 months. Lendl was the first true 'professional', his preparation and attitude was groundbreaking at that time. Changing racquets after six games (to keep string tension consistent), portfolio on every player on tour. Rebound surface court installed at his home, sweat bands on both wrists to stop sweat getting on his grip. Only player I ever saw at Wimbledon use the sawdust to help with perspiration on his hands (used to fill his pockets with it). First player to have his own racquet stringer on tour. He also began to use a separate racquet for serving and another for receiving.
Borg ,Vilas and Barazzutti were the first true professionals
I have always wondered how much longer McEnroe would have dominated for if he had continued his 1984 form. He was truly majestic and in my view, at his best, a great deal better than his contemporaries. What do others think?
Well sadly we’ll never know but one thing is for certain he raised the bar very high that year and got the new generation to come up with bigger first serves better second serves and a more professional approach to fitness training as well as more powerful tennis rackets. Mac’s best vs Ivan’s best Mats’s best Boris’s Jim’s Stefan’s Andre & Pete’s (although Andre & Pete’s best came up after John’s retirement) would have been great theatre and entertainment
This is his last big win , early 1985, after that it was all going down the hill for him, he lost a step and his flair after his break in early 1986......and he was never the same
I found it very sad and frustrating as his tennis (not his behaviour) was sublime and so watchable.
I could not agree more with your comment, it was a bit odd and bizarre to see it going down this way so fast @@MW-od5wp
Tatum O’Neil
true@@Mangoshake2021
MCENROE THE GOAT CHAMP
Both Mac and John agreed that whoever came up with the higher first serve percentage would win and on that day and perhaps that year Mac almost inevitably was able to come up with a big first serve on big points which seemed to give him wings for the rest of his almost magical game. What a player he was at his best
The most unusual player in history
4:20 17:17 26:52 34:25 35:28 47:06 48:58 59:24 1:02:23 1:11:24
Tatum was really beautiful
Notice jow McEnroe started wearing Nike by this match, even though this match was technically part of the 84 tour, though played in January 85. Never understood why they played the Masters in January of the following year, thankfully they'd sorted that out by 86.
never won a G.S ANYMORE WITH NIKE
@@philippestoffels8150 sad but true, lack of fitness , he lost a step and his flair by the year 1986......
Think this was the first tournament lendl was wearing that particular Adidas range as well. Wore it in 85 and 86
この試合を観たかったです。
マッケンローが絶好調の時です。
特にマッケンロー対レンドル戦は面白い。
No se ve una de las curiosidades de la final: con 6-5 y servicio, McEnroe, esperando que los fotógrafos dejen sus flashes, se golpea con la bola en el ojo, necesitando asistencia médica. No le afectó porque ganó ese juego y los ocho siguientes.
McEnroe was super talented.
But did not care about his profession.
Then came ladies into his life and he forgot to play good tennis
"Why Bill Johnston and Bill Tilden were such great players, because they had overall superiority of the game." Game allowed them perform.
What you have to do is to be rock solid, why Djokovic is one of strongest ever. He wasn't the first but learned after the game had their best players, and didn't have to use his most power.
Lendl has not had technical advantage of the game that lefties are better than righties, are online here. McEnroe, even at his best: 5-7, 0-6, 4-6.
McEnroe's using his speed to the net that was for more difficult, or Lendl beatin' power game players such Connors or Becker, if th'had not type of finesse variedly speed and power, learned game's like.
Lendl had difficult vs solid volleyer's.
Carefully studied which one McEnroe, or Lendl had it most. Both in greater balance.
Connors winning '78, '79 Ashe had two matchpoints to losing McEnroe. '88 Becker def. Lendl 7-6 in the 5th. Overrulin' it in both occasions, since it took system to takeover, any rulin' or time pastmast!!