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132 Famous Quotes By John McEnroe

Famous As: Former American Professional Tennis Player Known for His Shot-making and Volleying Skills
Born On: February 16, 1959
Born In: Wiesbaden, Germany
Age: 65 Years
John McEnroe is an American retired tennis player, who is often regarded as one of the most extraordinary players in the history of tennis. His volleying skills and shot-making artistry made him highly popular. He is also known for his on-court bellicose behaviour that often landed him in vexation with tennis authorities and umpires. He bagged in 17 ‘Grand Slams’ including one mixed doubles, seven singles and nine men’s doubles. He also holds the record of winning eight year-end championships along with being the holder of nineteen ‘Grand Prix Super Series’ titles in his career. He triumphed thrice at Wimbledon and four times at the U.S Open. We have rounded some popular, interesting and famous catchphrases, quotes and sayings which have been excerpted from the eminent tennis star’s thoughts, opinions, interviews, utterances, on the court outbursts, memoirs, and life. Zoom through the list of most frequently quoted quotes and thoughts by John McEnroe.
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The perception is I didn't get along with umpires, obviously, and I didn't, on the court. But off the court, we had a good vibe.

The perception is I didn't get along with umpires, obviously, and I didn't, on the court. But off the court, we had a good vibe.

John McEnroe
I don't take myself as seriously as I did when I was playing, and it works, and I think people see the self-deprecation in my commentary.

I don't take myself as seriously as I did when I was playing, and it works, and I think people see the self-deprecation in my commentary.

John McEnroe
If you yell at your box, I'm not really sure it's something where it should be a penalty. It seems like you hurt yourself.

If you yell at your box, I'm not really sure it's something where it should be a penalty. It seems like you hurt yourself.

John McEnroe
There's always a concern when you play the week before a major. That's not the easiest time for a scheduler or a promoter, I would think.

There's always a concern when you play the week before a major. That's not the easiest time for a scheduler or a promoter, I would think.

John McEnroe
Women have it better in tennis than any other sport, but you shouldn't push them to play more than they're capable of playing.

Women have it better in tennis than any other sport, but you shouldn't push them to play more than they're capable of playing.

John McEnroe
In general, people are administered drugs too readily.

In general, people are administered drugs too readily.

John McEnroe
I would not have an event before the majors. I would build them up. It very rarely happens that a player plays the week before, wins the event, and then goes on to win the slam.

I would not have an event before the majors. I would build them up. It very rarely happens that a player plays the week before, wins the event, and then goes on to win the slam.

John McEnroe
If you look at the top 100 players, you would see that the great majority of them have had at least a couple of surgeries. That tells me that we have to protect the players.

If you look at the top 100 players, you would see that the great majority of them have had at least a couple of surgeries. That tells me that we have to protect the players.

John McEnroe
I would put tiebreakers in the fifth set, no question about it.

I would put tiebreakers in the fifth set, no question about it.

John McEnroe
Do women golfers say they could go out and beat Tiger Woods?

Do women golfers say they could go out and beat Tiger Woods?

John McEnroe
I've seen tennis clubs close in Manhattan and garages put up in their place, and I'd sure like to be part of reversing that trend.

I've seen tennis clubs close in Manhattan and garages put up in their place, and I'd sure like to be part of reversing that trend.

John McEnroe
I had a harsh lesson in 1996, when I lost four times to Andres Gomez on clay.

I had a harsh lesson in 1996, when I lost four times to Andres Gomez on clay.

John McEnroe
I used to get two racquets a year. As you can imagine, they didn't last me too long.

I used to get two racquets a year. As you can imagine, they didn't last me too long.

John McEnroe
Of course for your main rivals, you're going to get extra motivated for it, particularly if you haven't played him for a long time.

Of course for your main rivals, you're going to get extra motivated for it, particularly if you haven't played him for a long time.

John McEnroe
I can't speak for other people, but I still hate losing. When I did lose, I found it easier to yell than to cry. Guys aren't supposed to cry, are they?

I can't speak for other people, but I still hate losing. When I did lose, I found it easier to yell than to cry. Guys aren't supposed to cry, are they?

John McEnroe
As I got older and started moving up the ranking, the matches got more important, and my emotions ratcheted up. I guess I hid my real feelings behind the anger.

As I got older and started moving up the ranking, the matches got more important, and my emotions ratcheted up. I guess I hid my real feelings behind the anger.

John McEnroe
I was a Yankee fan until 1981. That was the year the Yankees were two up on the Dodgers and lost four straight. And George Steinbrenner apologized to the city.

I was a Yankee fan until 1981. That was the year the Yankees were two up on the Dodgers and lost four straight. And George Steinbrenner apologized to the city.

John McEnroe
I like John McCain, or he seems like a cool guy in a lot of ways. I don't agree with a lot of his policies, but he still seems like a cool guy.

I like John McCain, or he seems like a cool guy in a lot of ways. I don't agree with a lot of his policies, but he still seems like a cool guy.

John McEnroe
I'm going to vote for Obama. I'm going for the change.

I'm going to vote for Obama. I'm going for the change.

John McEnroe
Nadal is one of the great champions - a class act.

Nadal is one of the great champions - a class act.

John McEnroe
I thought doubles was a good way for me to practice and get some reps in - I didn't like to train in the gym as much as players these days.

I thought doubles was a good way for me to practice and get some reps in - I didn't like to train in the gym as much as players these days.

John McEnroe
Kyrgios has got to look in the mirror if he wants to become a top player and win Grand Slams.

Kyrgios has got to look in the mirror if he wants to become a top player and win Grand Slams.

John McEnroe
You can't give away points and games against someone like Murray. You're not going to make it to the top with that kind of effort.

You can't give away points and games against someone like Murray. You're not going to make it to the top with that kind of effort.

John McEnroe
I'm 56 years old. I like to get out on the court. I continue to try to play the best I can. Obviously, I'm nowhere near where I was when half this age. But I can still hit a pretty decent ball.

I'm 56 years old. I like to get out on the court. I continue to try to play the best I can. Obviously, I'm nowhere near where I was when half this age. But I can still hit a pretty decent ball.

John McEnroe
Sometimes my negativity worked to my advantage, and early in my career, it got me going. But you need to understand that you're not just fighting opponents, you're also fighting yourself.

Sometimes my negativity worked to my advantage, and early in my career, it got me going. But you need to understand that you're not just fighting opponents, you're also fighting yourself.

John McEnroe
I got a lot of publicity, but it steamrolled. Event organizers weren't used to that kind of behavior, so later, they tightened the rules.

I got a lot of publicity, but it steamrolled. Event organizers weren't used to that kind of behavior, so later, they tightened the rules.

John McEnroe
I did a terrible job of composing myself. I was a spoiled brat from Long Island who benefitted from the energy of New York.

I did a terrible job of composing myself. I was a spoiled brat from Long Island who benefitted from the energy of New York.

John McEnroe
Look at Becker and Djokovic. If you look at Novak's record since Boris has been there, it's been phenomenal.

Look at Becker and Djokovic. If you look at Novak's record since Boris has been there, it's been phenomenal.

John McEnroe
If you really want to get it more exciting, no linesmen. And have the players call their lines. That would make the game more exciting, I promise you. It would be awesome.

If you really want to get it more exciting, no linesmen. And have the players call their lines. That would make the game more exciting, I promise you. It would be awesome.

John McEnroe
I can't advocate people not liking each other. But... I'd prefer it.

I can't advocate people not liking each other. But... I'd prefer it.

John McEnroe