John McEnroe vs the modern game: He beat this legend 6-1 at 45 years old!!

[8 or 24]

How do you think he’d stack up against the players of today’s game? Interesting take on the subject below

 

[jrepac]

Great players are great players. Give them the current tech, sit back and watch. Absolutely no one playing today has had to face anything even remotely like Mac's game. Particularly the 1984 edition.

 

[8 or 24]

I totally agree, in my opinion I think the Big 3 broke a lot of the records because of the changes in the game. Federer played through Wimbledon when it was still fast, and the faster hard courts. But Djokovic and Nadal and today’s current players don’t have to play against as much variety and all the surfaces play similar. Makes you wonder if things didn’t change from 1984 how much longer McEnroe’s career would when been? Even with the ever changing technology and technique changes he made it to the Wimbledon semifinals in 92. Agassi just had an amazing match when they played.

 

[Waves]

On the right court with old racquets…Mac!

 

[Galvermegs]

I totally agree, in my opinion I think the Big 3 broke a lot of the records because of the changes in the game. Federer played through Wimbledon when it was still fast, and the faster hard courts. But Djokovic and Nadal and today’s current players don’t have to play against as much variety and all the surfaces play similar. Makes you wonder if things didn’t change from 1984 how much longer McEnroe’s career would when been? Even with the ever changing technology and technique changes he made it to the Wimbledon semifinals in 92. Agassi just had an amazing match when they played.

Wasnt mcenroe a bit undercooked too? Agassi was buzzing after beating legend of centre court boris.. mcenroe didnt have many big wins, even including pat cash who obviously had declined in double quick time due to endless injuries

 

[8 or 24]

On the right court with old racquets…Mac!

How about Mac in today’s game, with this technology, but the faster courts?

 

[8 or 24]

Wasnt mcenroe a bit undercooked too? Agassi was buzzing after beating legend of centre court boris.. mcenroe didnt have many big wins, even including pat cash who obviously had declined in double quick time due to endless injurie

 

[8 or 24]

Good point! I think Agassi definitely had the momentum and confidence going into the semifinal. Also McEnroe being his mentor and training with him leading up to the semifinal probably didn’t help. Especially since Agassi probably got alot of reps getting used to his serve..

 

[Galvermegs]

Good point! I think Agassi definitely had the momentum and confidence going into the semifinal. Also McEnroe being his mentor and training with him leading up to the semifinal probably didn’t help. Especially since Agassi probably got alot of reps getting used to his serve..

It is a big debate if goran could beat the smaller and less powerful mcenroe in the final... but lets face it john had one last shot in 1989 and anything else was just a bit fanciful.

 

[GuyForget]

It is a big debate if goran could beat the smaller and less powerful mcenroe in the final... but lets face it john had one last shot in 1989 and anything else was just a bit fanciful.

err not that big a debate. What Agassi did in 92 on that surface was phenomenal, + he blew JMac away

 

[Galvermegs]

err not that big a debate. What Agassi did in 92 on that surface was phenomenal, + he blew JMac away

How ironic that forget, who lost to john the round before is trying to change the op topic..

I know andre blew mac away but im totally sure andre at 33 couldnt bit passing shots on the run like his younger self if the roles were reversed.

I just wanted to point out mcenroe making semis of slams in the 90s was a decent effort, but even reading his auto bio tells you how much he is happy with the 70 odd singles and 70 odd doubles titles. Most normal people would be, however stoic or otherwise they are.

 

[jrepac]

How ironic that forget, who lost to john the round before is trying to change the op topic..

I know andre blew mac away but im totally sure andre at 33 couldnt bit passing shots on the run like his younger self if the roles were reversed.

I just wanted to point out mcenroe making semis of slams in the 90s was a decent effort, but even reading his auto bio tells you how much he is happy with the 70 odd singles and 70 odd doubles titles. Most normal people would be, however stoic or otherwise they are.

him reaching the SF in '92 was a solid achievement, though in '90, he probably had a stronger chance. Was playing quite well in '89/90 getting to #4 ranking. In '92, I did think he'd give Andre more trouble, but Agassi really drew a bead on his serve. John didn't have the disguise that he used to, IMHO. And, of course, it was Andre on the return. Mac's career, overall, is still better than Andre's, I think. Depends on how you feel about Golden Slam and Olympics I suppose. It's pretty close.