French Open: John McEnroe Follows WTA Pioneer Billie Jean King in Receiving Highest Civilian Honor from Emmanuel Macron

When it comes to tennis, there is hardly anyone who does not know of John McEnroe. The legendary American star, known for his exceptional tennis skills and his not-so-common on-court behavior caught everyone’s attention. From being the top-ranked player to winning multiple grand slams, to being inducted into the hall of fame, there’s hardly any honor that the former world number 1 player might have missed out on. Now, to add the cherry to the cake, he recently received yet another award to add to his ever-increasing tally. However, this time, it is not something that anyone can receive.

The former grand slam winner was recently recognized by France’s highest civilian award, the French Legion of Honour by President Emmanuel Macron. With this, he joined Billie Jean King on the list of awardees. Apparently, before John McEnroe, King was the only player who received this recognition.

Having won 155 titles throughout his career along with multiple other recognitions, this was another award to his name. Thus, John McEnroe recently joined the likes of Billie Jean King as he received France’s highest civilian award for his on-court pursuits. While recognizing him with the award, the President, Macron said McEnroe to be the greatest of all time in the sport.

France’s president terms John McEnroe as the greatest player of all time

While tennis has been heavily dominated by the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, the French president decided not to go their way and claimed John McEnroe as the undisputed legend of the game. He highlighted the accomplishments that he has achieved during his time as a player.

“You are a legend of world sport, one of the greatest of all time,” Macron said according to L’Equipe. “And since the start of the Open era, no other player has won as many titles as you: 155 including 17 Grand Slams in singles and doubles, as well as World No. 1 in singles and doubles simultaneously.”

Adding further to this, he even compared him with the likes of Mike Tyson, Michael Jordan and others and suggested that it is not only the titles that matter but the emotions, the mark that they leave on the sport and stuff that matters along with it.

“But like Tyson in boxing, Jordan in basketball or Pele in football, legends are not defined solely by an extraordinary amount of accomplishments. It is also the emotions that they evoke, the mark that they leave in sport, their character, their personality, the vibrations of humanity and in this area too, dear John, you are one of the greatest,” he further added.

Thus, the President of France, while labeling him as one of the best of all time compared him with the likes of Mike Tyson, Michael Jordan, and others. What are your thoughts on this? Do let us know in the comments below!