A Common Fan’s Sports Diary

John McEnroe turned 50 last week and it’s time to pay him a little tribute

But we aren’t going to talk about how; arguably, he was the most talented tennis player of all time – although his record of just 7 grand slam singles titles really doesn’t position him as one. He had the most amazing single season performance in living memory when he went 82-3 in 1982 and that is the best indicator of what he was capable of.

We will also resist the temptation of indulging in the ‘super brat’ talk – McEnroe’s got enough flak for his on-court misdemeanours.

On this day, we will celebrate the most patriotic of American tennis players – the man who is single-handedly responsible for saving the Davis Cup in the United States.

McEnroe's favourite moment from his favourite tournament

When McEnroe burst upon the scene in the late 70’s, US interest in the Davis Cup was at an all-time low. Top players like Jimmy Connors had shunned the Davis Cup to pursue more lucrative interests – and without its best players the United States was struggling. McEnroe took it upon himself to keep the Star and Stripes flying – a job he did with great distinction – playing an active role in 5 title triumphs from 1978 to 1992.

McEnroe’s tour record is inferior to the likes of Sampras and Agassi but no American can touch him when it comes to Davis Cup. He holds all the records – years played (12), ties (30), singles wins (41), and total wins in singles and doubles (59). And then there are the tales of legend – like the 6-hour, 22-minute victory over Mats Wilander in the deciding rubber of the 3–2 quarterfinal win over Sweden in 1982.

What makes McEnroe’s dedication to the team cause – a cause which did nothing for his singles ranking, all the more impressive is the time in which it took place – a time when the professional game was really expanding, bringing more and more money into it. As a New Yorker, he should have been more individualistic than the other Americans. Instead he chose to balance his New Yorker persona by embracing the un-American (as far as professional sports go) ethos of team and national pride.

McEnroe was lucky to come in contact with coaches Tony Palafox and Harry “Hop” Hopman at an impressionable age in his career – this association played a significant part in developing a passion for the Davis Cup in him.

McEnroe’s favourite Davis Cup moment is his appearance in the 1992 final where the U.S. beat Switzerland 3-1 in Texas. This was Tennis’ version of the dream team as McEnroe was joined by Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Jim Courier.

Recently, McEnroe, the player who always said “I will go anywhere, any time to play Davis Cup for America,” has again been entrusted the task of reviving US interest in the Davis Cup, this time as team captain. I wouldn’t bet against him pulling it off a second time.

The other truly fascinating thing about McEnroe was his love for doubles. Other than Stefan Edberg, who did it for a brief period, no top singles player in the modern era has played so much of doubles and played it so damn well that he was called the greatest doubles player of all time.

McEnroe and Fleming

He was world number one in doubles for 257 weeks and won 9 grand slam titles – including 7 with Peter Fleming. McEnroe’s interest in doubles meshed perfectly with his love for the Davis Cup – he had a 14-1 record along with Fleming.

McEnroe was so good that it was said that he could form the world’s best doubles partnership with almost anyone. And he somewhat proved it by winning the Wimbledon doubles with Michael Stich, a fine singles player but a nobody in doubles before winning the title with McEnroe.

John McEnroe will mostly be remembered as a great singles player and a petulant brat on court. But in that, he wasn’t exceptional. He was truly in a league of his own as a genius doubles player and as an uber -patriotic Yankee who couldn’t have enough of the Davis Cup.

And that is also why it is foolish to hold his singles record against his claim to being the most talented player of all time.