John McEnroe

You cannot be serious — the most gifted touch player men's tennis has produced and the sport's most combustible personality. John McEnroe's serve-and-volley game at its peak was simply untouchable, his racket as much a brushstroke as a weapon. Three Wimbledons, four US Opens and a Davis Cup record of 41 wins from 49 matches for the United States. His rivalry with Bjorn Borg produced some of the finest tennis ever played, including the 1980 Wimbledon final tiebreak that many consider the greatest set of tennis in the Open Era. Later became one of the sport's most insightful television analysts.

John Patrick McEnroe Jr. was born in Wiesbaden, West Germany in 1959, son of an American military officer, and became the most gifted and volcanic player of his era — a genius with a racquet matched in public consciousness by his confrontations with officials that became defining images of 1980s sport. He turned professional in 1978 and won 7 Grand Slam singles titles — Wimbledon (1981, 1983, 1984) and the US Open (1979, 1980, 1981, 1984) — plus 78 doubles titles. He compiled a career record of 949 wins and 198 losses — an 82.7% win rate — across 14 years. He spent 170 weeks at world number one. He won 77 career singles titles. His left-handed serve-and-volley game, combining a sliced wide serve with volleying of exceptional touch and placement, was the finest technical expression of net play the sport has produced. The 1980 Wimbledon final tiebreaker against Borg — won 18-16 by McEnroe before Borg won the match — is the most celebrated individual set in tennis history. He won 5 Davis Cup titles with the USA. His famous outbursts — "You cannot be serious!" at Wimbledon 1981 — became cultural touchstones beyond sport. His post-playing career as a broadcaster, combining technical insight with candour, has made him one of sport's most distinctive voices.

McEnroe was renowned for his exceptional serve-and-volley game and incredible touch around the net. His left-handed serve was particularly effective on grass courts, featuring precise placement and variety rather than pure power. He possessed arguably the best volleys in tennis history, with unmatched court sense and the ability to hit winners from seemingly impossible angles.

McEnroe revolutionized tennis with his emotional intensity and artistry, bringing both controversy and excitement that attracted new audiences to the sport. His rivalry with Björn Borg created some of tennis's most memorable matches and helped elevate the sport's global popularity.

• Wimbledon 1981, 1983, 1984
• US Open 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984
• Davis Cup 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1992 (USA)
• World No.1 1981–1984
• ATP Doubles Titles 78x
• ITF World Champion 1981, 1983, 1984