McEnroe's best tennis was serve-and-volley. A natural at the game, he had an adaptability, an unpredictability, and a speed on the court that helped him defeat many pros relying on powerful serves.
Of course, McEnroe's other tennis advantage was his infamous temper and often boorish behavior against players, officials, and fans. The British press nicknamed him "Superbrat" and "McBrat" for his outbursts at the Wimbeldon officials, one of whom he berated as "the pits of the world."
But unlike most athletes, the anger didn't distract him, but fueled his game, even if his pouting made people scoff at this immaturity. Even his father John Sr. said,
"John sets high standards for himself and doesn't suffer fools gladly. What you might say about John is that he shoots from the hip through his mouth."
In 1977, at his first Grand Slam, McEnroe reached the Wimbeldon semifinals as an 18-year-old, the youngest player at that time to go so far in the tournament. He turned pro and at age 20 won the US Open for the first time. How amazing it must have been to win his first huge title just a few train stops from his hometown. His Wimbeldon matches against Bjorn Borg in 1980 and 1981 are classics, with "Supermac" breaking the icy Swede's Wimbeldon streak on July 4, 1981.
In a career that has spanned four decades of professional tennis -- he still plays on the ATP Pro Tour -- McEnroe has won seven Grand Slam singles titles (the US Open four times, and Wimbeldon three times), eight Grand Slam doubles titles, and with the US team, four Davis Cup victories.
What seems most outrageous about his success is McEnroe was known to hardly practice. Instead his natural abilities and gamesmanship won the day again and again. If that doesn't make him a classic Queens character, nothing does. In 1985, at the height of his infamy when he was banished from the Davis Cup, McEnroe got advice from Mick Jagger and Jack Nicholson: Don't ever change. McEnroe later told Sports Illustrated in 1996:
"When you're 26, who are you gonna listen to, Jagger and Nicholson or some old farts in the United States Tennis Association?"With fellow tennis pro, Davis Cup captain, and brother Patrick McEnroe, John McEnroe has been a TV commentator on tennis matches for years. At least he can get paid for his color commentary now, and not get fined for it. Sadly, for someone with so much verbal gusto, McEnroe's talk show bombed, and quickly went off the air in 2005. But look for him at the US Open this September. He's sure to feel at home in Queens yelling about line calls, or debating the merits of the new blue colored hardcourts.
McEnroe is married to rock singer Patty Smyth and has six children, two with Smyth, three with former wife Tatum O'Neal, and one from Smyth's first marriage.
He doesn't live there any more, but Douglas Manor is still one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Queens. Take a walk along the water and gawk at some of the homes. All you need is an LIRR ticket to Douglaston. After your walk, you'll be in a mood to splurge at Il Toscano, one of the best restaurants in New York that no one in Manhattan has ever seen, much less tasted. It's a Queens original, just like Johnny Mac.
More on John McEnroe
- John McEnroe - Brilliant Careers [Salon.com]
- John McEnroe - Tennis Legend [BBC]
- Tennis Open Era Top Five Lists [About.com]
