John McEnroe is known as much for his on-court outbursts as his classic rivalries with Bjorn Borg and Jimmy Connors. Here the American tennis legend answers quickfire questions from CNN's Open Court. Himself in three words? "Interested person overall."
John McEnroe in his own words —
John McEnroe is known as much for his on-court outbursts as his classic rivalries with Bjorn Borg and Jimmy Connors. Here the American tennis legend answers quickfire questions from CNN's Open Court. Himself in three words? "Interested person overall."
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"Wimbledon final in 1981 when I finally beat Bjorg." McEnroe defeated the Swede 4-6 7-6 7-6 6-4 to win at the home of tennis for the first of three times, his personal career highlight.
Happiest moment on court? —
"Wimbledon final in 1981 when I finally beat Bjorg." McEnroe defeated the Swede 4-6 7-6 7-6 6-4 to win at the home of tennis for the first of three times, his personal career highlight.
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"I hear that about 10 times a day." McEnroe was notorious for arguing with umpires -- here haranguing an official during a semifinal win over Connors at Wimbledon. His famous catchphrase: "You cannot be serious!"
'You cannot be serious!' —
"I hear that about 10 times a day." McEnroe was notorious for arguing with umpires -- here haranguing an official during a semifinal win over Connors at Wimbledon. His famous catchphrase: "You cannot be serious!"
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"American Pie." McEnroe is a keen musician, and is seen here performing with legendary guitarist Bo Diddley during the U.S. Open in 2005. As well as Don McLean's 1970s classic, he's also a big fan of the Black Keys and Foo Fighters.
Favorite karaoke song? —
"American Pie." McEnroe is a keen musician, and is seen here performing with legendary guitarist Bo Diddley during the U.S. Open in 2005. As well as Don McLean's 1970s classic, he's also a big fan of the Black Keys and Foo Fighters.
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"French Open 1984, just the last few games." McEnroe's biggest tournament regret is blowing a two-set lead against Ivan Lendl and losing 3-6 2-6 6-4 7-5 7-5 in his only final at Roland Garros.
What match would you play again? —
"French Open 1984, just the last few games." McEnroe's biggest tournament regret is blowing a two-set lead against Ivan Lendl and losing 3-6 2-6 6-4 7-5 7-5 in his only final at Roland Garros.
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"Derek Jeter (right) and Tom Brady," McEnroe says of his most admired current sports stars. "I think they're incredible team players. I'm an individual but for me to see how they make everyone around them better ... you don't hear anything about them off the field, it's impressive."
Athlete you admire the most? —
"Derek Jeter (right) and Tom Brady," McEnroe says of his most admired current sports stars. "I think they're incredible team players. I'm an individual but for me to see how they make everyone around them better ... you don't hear anything about them off the field, it's impressive."
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"My toughest opponent was a guy by the name of Pete Sampras." McEnroe's career briefly overlapped with that of the 14-time grand slam champion, but he lost all three of their matches. McEnroe was later his Davis Cup captain and they have renewed their rivalry on the legends circuit.
Toughest opponent? —
"My toughest opponent was a guy by the name of Pete Sampras." McEnroe's career briefly overlapped with that of the 14-time grand slam champion, but he lost all three of their matches. McEnroe was later his Davis Cup captain and they have renewed their rivalry on the legends circuit.
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"Sean Penn. He played high school tennis and we seem to be cut from the same cloth." The actor, far left, is pictured with McEnroe, the tennis star's wife Patty Smyth (2nd left) and Donna Karan at a Haiti relief fundraiser in 2011.
Who'd play John McEnroe in a film? —
"Sean Penn. He played high school tennis and we seem to be cut from the same cloth." The actor, far left, is pictured with McEnroe, the tennis star's wife Patty Smyth (2nd left) and Donna Karan at a Haiti relief fundraiser in 2011.
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"My hero was Rod Laver." The Australian twice completed the grand slam of winning Wimbledon and the French, Australian and U.S. Opens in the same year -- the only player, male or female, to do so.
Who was your biggest inspiration? —
"My hero was Rod Laver." The Australian twice completed the grand slam of winning Wimbledon and the French, Australian and U.S. Opens in the same year -- the only player, male or female, to do so.
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"Its energy -- New York is an inspiring metropolis that continues to amaze me ... it's the greatest city in the world."
What does being a New Yorker mean to you? —
"Its energy -- New York is an inspiring metropolis that continues to amaze me ... it's the greatest city in the world."
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