Tennis is one of the few sports that doesn’t require players to adhere to a strict uniform when they’re playing across the world. If you don’t count Wimbledon, where the all-white dress code is non-negotiable. While the types of athletic gear have evolved over the years in both ATP and WTA, it’s impossible to forget some of the iconic outfits from the years gone by. No, we’re not talking about Serena Williams‘ catsuit, but rather John McEnroe’s short shorts that even Emma Raducanu loves.

Appearing in a Sky Sports segment, the Briton goes through a series of players to ‘Guess the Tennis Player.’ The first image that comes up is of what looks like a man with his hands in the air and knees bent, probably in celebration. The outfit is all white, so it’s presumably Wimbledon. The player holds a tennis racquet in his right hand and there’s a tennis ball emoji over his face, preventing us from seeing who it is. But a shock of bright red on brown hair peeks through.

Combine that with the shorts that hug the player’s thigh tops, leaving a clear view of the muscled legs, and it’s a straight giveaway as to who it is. There was only one player who wore short shorts, had curly hair, and was known by the red headband he often wore in the 1970s – the Super Brat of tennis! “John McEnroe. I feel like those shorts were like way back in the day. That height and the headband I feel like is pretty iconic,” says Emma Raducanu with a grin on her face.

It was the era of long socks and wooden racquets when McEnroe was known for his fiery temper on the court and his rivalry with Björn Borg. The legendary American player even recreated that look from almost 50 years ago to promote Wimbledon this year. He donned his iconic uniform and even put on a curly-haired wig and a red headband on hair that is starkly silver today.

But while tennis is where his strength lies, is McEnroe’s dress code classical enough to make him a fashion expert? When he tried to lend advice to Daniil Medvedev, the Russian denied it! Back in July, the two starred in a hilarious commercial for Pepperstone where McEnroe tried to get Medvedev into the same outfit as him to make him No. 1.

But once the Russian player put it on, he told the American veteran, “I feel ridiculous.” Then he hit some balls with a wooden racquet but when he missed one, Medvedev told McEnroe point blank, “I’m out.” And the American commentator was left dumbfounded as if he couldn’t imagine this formula not working!

But while Emma Raducanu has offered praise for the all-time great, McEnroe has been left confused by where the Briton’s career is going, of late.

“I’m a bit befuddled”: John McEnroe on 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu

After having surgery on both of her wrists and left ankle in May last year, Raducanu took the rest of the year off to recover. Since then, the British player has barely appeared in tournaments, and even though she’s not the kind of player to keep her calendar jam-packed, the lack of appearances has been concerning.

With the latest edition of the US Open starting tomorrow, where Raducanu plays Sofia Kenin in the first round, McEnroe is unsure which direction the former champion is headed. “Sometimes I see her and it looks like she is heading back towards the top of the game and then other times I’m a bit befuddled about what’s going on,” the American legend told Tennis365. “I’m not close to her team and what is going on, but I hope she is healthy.”

“Does she have that absolute belief and commitment to win something big again or be in the top 10? That I can’t say,” McEnroe concluded. Emma Raducanu has been prioritizing her health this year and even skipped the Olympics. The Briton did it to prepare for the hard court season. But then she skipped the tournaments in Canada and Cincinnati, so it’s uncertain how the last major of the year will go for her.

Can Raducanu make a strong comeback at the last Grand Slam of the year? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.