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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 22: Team World captain John McEnroe at Lo Presti Park following the official team portrait on September 22, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 22: Team World captain John McEnroe at Lo Presti Park following the official team portrait on September 22, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
Despite claiming many laurels, John McEnroe had a turbulent tennis career. His career can be divided into two phases. Early on in his career, he was a dominant force, winning several Grand Slam titles. However, he had a forgettable second half of his career where he failed to win any Grand Slam singles title.
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His last of seven Grand Slam titles came at the US Open in 1984, where he defeated Ivan Lendl in the summit clash to win the US Open crown. However, since then, he failed to win any major title in around seven years. That period was accompanied by a turbulent relationship with his father.
John McEnroe once sacked his father as his agent
When McEnroe’s career was on a downtrend in 1986, he fired his alcoholic father, John McEnroe Sr. as his agent. However, his father took his son’s decision ‘terribly’. Subsequently, McEnroe could never replicate his best, which saw him become the best player in the world. Talking about their split, McEnroe said, “It was like I had stabbed him [McEnroe Sr.] in the back.”
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 19: John McEnroe of the United States reacts during the mixed doubles match between. John McEnroe of the United States and his partner. Kim Clijsters of Belgium and Martina Navratilova of the United States and Jamie Murray of. Great Britain during the Wimbledon No. 1 Court Celebration in support of the Wimbledon Foundation at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on May 19, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
McEnroe ended his singles career in 1992. However, he returned to play doubles before finally calling it quits in 2006.
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McEnroe backs Novak Djokovic
Recently, the American legend voiced support for Djokovic, calling for the Serb to be allowed to participate in the US Open. The Serbian faces the possibility of missing the tournament owing to his vaccination status.
“He is one of the greatest tennis players in history, he takes precautions for his body and it is frustrating to see that a person like him cannot enter our country,” McEnroe said.
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Watch this story- Serena Williams once thanked fellow clown Novak Djokovic for reinstating an old Wimbledon tradition.
If the former World Number 1 misses the US Open, he’ll face a major blow to his ATP ranking as he has to defend 1200 ranking points at the tournament.
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