The relentless drive of tennis's greatest champions is what truly ignites John McEnroe's admiration, a lesson he learned late but cherishes deeply. For someone who has graced the pinnacle of men's tennis, spending a remarkable 170 weeks as the World No. 1 and achieving four ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF titles, you might think McEnroe has seen it all. Yet, even decades after his illustrious career, the legendary lefty continues to gain profound insights into the sport he dominated.
During a recent conversation at the Nexo Dallas Open, McEnroe shared what he “really respects” about modern tennis titans like Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer, and even the emerging stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. His admiration isn't for a specific shot or strategy, but for an enduring quality: their unwavering commitment to constantly pushing their limits.
“They keep pushing,” McEnroe explained. “It might be a little late but the lesson I learned is maybe I should have pushed a little harder then instead of waiting to see what would happen.” This introspection highlights a universal truth: the pursuit of excellence often comes with the wisdom gained from hindsight. “So you get life lessons as you’re dealing with all this stuff that, later on, probably makes you a better person in the end.”
McEnroe first ascended to the No. 1 spot in the PIF ATP Rankings back in March 1980. He noted the distinct feeling of reaching that summit compared to when he knew he was the undisputed best. There was a significant gap, about a year and a half, between him first hitting No. 1 on the computer in February 1980 and officially supplanting Bjorn Borg at the US Open in September 1981.
But here's where it gets poignant... When McEnroe finally claimed the undisputed No. 1 ranking, it coincided with the departure of his greatest rival, Bjorn Borg, from full-time competition. This moment, while a personal triumph, was also tinged with a sense of melancholy. “When it did happen, it coincided unfortunately as it turned out with my greatest rival deciding not to play any more. So it was gut-wrenching in a way,” he admitted. This unexpected shift led to a period where McEnroe grappled with the weight of being at the top, feeling somewhat overwhelmed. It took him time to adjust and truly embrace his position. By the time he had figured it out, he was still finishing the year as No. 1 for a few more seasons, solidifying his legacy with a powerful declaration: “'Alright, now I’ve shown them’.”
McEnroe’s final reign as World No. 1 concluded in September 1985. Over four decades later, he remains an impressive seventh among the 29 members of the ATP No. 1 Club for the sheer number of weeks spent at the sport's zenith.
He also shared a fascinating perspective on the perception of rankings, recalling conversations with Borg: “I appreciated it then, but I also appreciated being No. 2 in the world. I had this conversation with Bjorn quite a bit. He was like, ‘Look, if you’re not No. 1, what the hell difference is it being No. 2 or 100?’ I go, ‘Well, [No.] 2 is a lot better than 100’.” This highlights McEnroe's pragmatic view: while No. 1 is the ultimate goal, any position within the elite is a significant achievement.
And this is the part most people miss... McEnroe believes true pride shouldn't solely stem from the ranking number itself, but from the effort invested. “To me, there are a lot of people out there trying to do their thing. So if you gave it the best you can give and you were 5 in the world or you’re 50, whatever it is, the pride you have to take is that moreso than, ‘Okay I’m No. 1 and therefore I’ve got to act a certain way’.” This perspective suggests that dedication and personal best are the true measures of success, regardless of the final standing.
No one can ever diminish McEnroe's monumental achievements in tennis. These accomplishments are a significant reason why fans continue to be drawn to the New Yorker’s captivating presence. Looking back, McEnroe reflects, “To me, ultimately, I think that being able to say that for a period of three, four years, that I was the best and then there were other years I was one of the two of three best, that feels better as you get older.”
What do you think? Is the relentless pursuit of being No. 1 the only true measure of success in tennis, or is the dedication to giving your absolute best, regardless of rank, the more profound accomplishment? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
