Former tennis player John McEnroe discusses new documentary, career

In a new documentary, seven-time Grand Slam winner John McEnroe reflects on his career and the game today. He joins “CBS Mornings” to discuss the film, his career and the state of tennis today.
#tennis #sports #news
Each weekday morning, "CBS Mornings” co-hosts Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson bring you the latest breaking news, smart conversation and in-depth feature reporting. "CBS Mornings" airs weekdays at 7 a.m. on CBS and stream it at 8 a.m. ET on the CBS News app.
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[@mariaroldan4200]

I met him a few times, he is actually a very friendly kind person.

[@MrBjorn6]

I met him in 1981 when I was 12, and he was 21 and just beat my idol Borg at Wimbledon. So I didn't like him very much for that reason. But he was so nice, I ended up liking him a lot.

[@danielfriedman4369]

I met him 2 times in the last 5 years when I did the play with the pros sessions at the Invesco Championship Series events. He was very friendly and funny, although he did hit 2 aces on me. Been my favorite since the 80s.

[@gailwebb9619]

He was the most exciting player I ever watched, past and present. The matches between he and Borg were the absolute best!

[@cookie5335]

Yes. He's sooo fun to watch and listen to. He's awsome

[@donkey3187]

Connors was the most exciting player I ever saw. Mac was up there too.

[@cookie5335]

He's the greatest most fun to watch player ever.

[@lynnhubbard844]

Agassy was hilarious, too

[@yvonnestroud8716]

He is so likable, and the documentary is really worth seeing, loved it.

[@mariannedinapoli1467]

did it air already?

[@yvonnestroud8716]

@@mariannedinapoli1467 i saw it in london

[@llouis4007]

Not likable

[@BIGLOVE4TRUTH]

I got to watch him and Vitas Gerulitas play in 1980 when they were number 1 and 2 in the world. His tennis game commentary is unmatched.

[@josephkelley8641]

Great point, BIG LOVE, John's tennis commentary just incredible. When it's NOT John calling a match my interest actually dwindles.

[@gloriagrady5258]

Love Johnnie Mac! Have been a fan since I first saw him in Forest Hills New York. Now I am 90 yrs old and still playing leftie tennis and watching Johnnie Mac play in the Seniors. Also he is a great commentator on national tv. Hope he does commentary on the U.S.Open which starts on the 29th.

[@chipmoffatt7748]

What I would like to know is how he has maintained his tennis game at his age. He can still hit w the top players

[@wreckanchor]

John is a national treasure. He really is.

[@123Rockchild]

Awwww….nice smile by John at the end!

[@samanthab1923]

Tennis was so good back then. Went to the Open every year. Women were cool too

[@catchingthemoon]

He was a crazy kid, what a lovely man he is.

[@stevefowler2112]

Mac was both maniacal and at the same time a genius on the court. My favorite tennis player and the gentleman who motivated me to become the best tennis player I could...I molded my game after his and it suited my physical assets and my mentality very well.

[@sebbytennis4298]

My man! You’re not the only one amen

[@sebbytennis4298]

Any video footage of your McEnroe style of play?

[@pam0626]

John McEnroe made me fall in love with tennis. He made the sport come alive with exciting energy. He acted like a brute yet had the finesse of a ballerina at the net. The contrast was mesmerizing to watch.

[@gailwebb9619]

Me too. When he played he made tennis exciting...plus he was a very talented player. No one is exciting like he was now...

[@stevefowler2112]

What a great interview Mac is...and look how slim he is...I would love to hit it around with my tennis idol...can't wait to watch the doc.

[@serenadeduo]

…Talkin’ bout my generation!… thanks John for being one of the most exiting sports figures of my time. My love for the game is directly linked to your performance and persona!

[@DavidinMiami]

He is by far the best tennis commentator right now. If you're watching an important match and he's covering it, grab the hot, buttered popcorn and the Cherry Dr. Pepper, have a seat, and enjoy!

[@MrCigarro50]

I don´t remember how many times I skipped classes, just to watch his games. He was fantastic.

[@sowhat4772]

I remember watching the match Björn Borg vs. John McEnroe.. After the match I went by myself to practice the serve as John did.. He is a unique personality and never acted like a flag in the wind... cool smart and sensitive guy!!

[@stevefoster4326]

After our local tournaments in the '80s, a grand time to later watch the pros with the family on the tube.

[@andygarcia6619]

Great guy John 🤩

[@markfarnon6742]

God, it's not rocket science - he was just young and over eager! Always liked him, always will

[@sherrykao978]

He seemed to have a huge sense of entertaining.

[@laurent___4431]

We love you John. Forever ❤.

[@kayday2115]

I absolutely loved John.i use to be on my knees praying he'd win watching his games.I just thought he was human and an exciting player to watch..Pity he doesn't like Raffa my favourite over the last 20yrs..

[@alonzobishop3671]

John channeling a “priest like” image for this interview… Pure genius was he, way back in the day! Always loved watching John’s father in the crowd- great family!

[@Miriam-fk9wr]

I am so thrilled David is a part of this round talk 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🤩

[@josephkelley8641]

it was John alone who changed Professional Men's Tennis. Johny Mac didn't NEED 100 Majors to become the game's most dominant/important player! Once John 'hit' here came all of the advertiser's! (Ratings for John's matches off-the-charts). People LOVED John's MOUTHING-off - tuned IN to see it! . .

[@josephkelley8641]

McEnroe headlines all over the World such as: THE MOUTH THAT ROARED - HE'S AT-IT AGAIN! LOL Before John I didn't even WATCH tennis! But there John was, age 16, DOMINATING the NY Daily News BACK page (Sports headline) with his then astonishing run. TOOK a lot of Brass - but John always backed-it-up. Gave the people what they didn't know they wanted! COLOR IN THE Black-and-White World OF MEN'S TENNIS. (prev known for its' dignity, courtesy and POLITENESS LOL).

[@revdwendy1019]

From an uninterested tennis family I watched John playing on TV in the mid seventies and was hooked. The 1980 Wimbledon final I was due to go out with friends, 18 years old, called to cancel because I couldn’t leave. Absolutely captivating and I’ve been an ardent tennis fan ever since.

[@56AngelFallen]

I adore this guy ❤❤❤

[@mimic6408]

Johnny Mac ❤️

[@jeffclyburn8000]

Tennis was fun to watch back then. McEnroe is awesome!

[@charlesbromberick4247]

A perfectionist like John (or me) hits a tennis ball and you immediately know it´s going out, but you have to just stand there and watch your mistake become a fixed reality - this drives one up the frickin´wall!

[@jbbling]

It's like watching "Never Have I Ever"

[@rebekkad.2092]

He did make us want to watch tennis (he's older than I am) but it often left me feeling unraveled. I no longer watch tennis the way I did back in the day - too many other distractions - but it was a time and place which is remembered fondly. I dislike his behavior but now see him in a different light. He was probably deficient in some vitamins and/or minerals because he wasn't able to keep his emotions under wraps. However, that's what made him who is was.

[@gerrynightingale9045]

*"Vitamins & Minerals" to explain behavior from a superbly-conditioned athlete who competes at a level 99.9999 of us will never reach?* *WTF?* ( All that sh!t is a scam because there's NO EFFING WAY to 'shove more into cells' then they were designed to need and utilize regardless of the cellular task )

[@kathleenmcwhirter3583]

After watching the Showtime documentary, I think his outrageous behavior as a young man can be chalked up mostly to his perfectionism (& being catered to far too much, as well). He was never satisfied with himself, or anything in his life. Perfectionism sets one up for all kinds of emotional problems throughout life, unless one is able to benefit from a good therapist (one or more) or spouse.

[@clausgiloi6036]

McEnroe is a former tennis champion and top player, but when did he stop being a tennis player?

[@scotthazlewood9123]

If you consider Mac's total number of tour, grand slam and davis cup wins/titles in mens singles, doubles and mixed, there could be an alternative case for GOAT.

[@insanity7579]

In the open era maybe. But in terms of everything about tennis like you said I feel Roy Emerson is ahead by mikes. I mean he won 8 combined wimbledons and 8 us open in doubles and singles but never French or AO in either. But in the open era goats The most slams combining everything is Bob Bryan 16 grand slams in doubles and 7 mixed doubles which will be surpassed by Novak’s singles number

[@mickylawless1941]

In my mind, Bjorn Borg WAS the greatest of that era! He retired so young, many folk forget just how dominant he was. Jonny Mac was an enigma to me. An amazing player, who got in his own way much too often.

[@2legit64]

Yes, to your entire statement. I loved Borg. He just quietly went about dominating the sport. He was no drama. McEnroe and Conners were cutting up on the court all the time. I found myself rooting against them all the time because of their antics.

[@moisesperez4659]

Could back it up!

[@gailwebb9619]

He and Borg playing against at each other were the most exciting tennis games I ever watched, past or present.

[@2legit64]

@@gailwebb9619 True!

[@MrBjorn6]

I was a Bjorn Borg, fan however but Mcenroe in 1984 with his Graphite racquet was playing at a level above anything Borg had done in his prime with a wooden racquet.

[@zuzannawisniewska4464]

John McEnroe respect..

[@astronaut69]

His volleys at the net were magical. Keep voicing your opinions too Mr. McEnroe as you are in the right side of history as well.

[@michaelconner1771]

I love how McEnroe EFFECTIVELY CORRECTED the reporter's incorrect characterization of his statement. Guess he was just... doing his job of spreading DISINFORMATION. I like him too. He was a very good interviewer when he had his own program on PBS.

[@barryshulman1151]

I grew up in Lynnfield ma. Lynnfield high school class of 1975. I was great tennis player & played with older players in Lynnfield high school 1973. I should kept it up. I understand. I have a retired professional exercise rider and jockey Suffolk downs racetrack is a big landmark in history. Seabiscuit ran twice on opening day in 1935 & 1937. I great parents. I know & took psychology at college. These news people don't understand like I do. I know more than they do.

[@ezrc9294]

I really like this fella

[@infiniteuniverse9528]

Looking back on when "Big Mac-Attack" argued with Umpires and line judges over bad calls, it turns out he was right all along as the line-calling in those days was atrocious. He was also one of the few athletes I've ever seen who could argue with the umpire for 10 mins, not lose his focus and actually play better after the delay. And unlike most stiff and drab tennis players, John's personality is one of a kind. In his prime McEnroe was probably the most intimidating player of all-time.

[@Bailey2006a]

McEnroe was a classic “ wrestling heel” in a sport whose rules of decorum would not abide him. Interestingly enough, Jimmy Connors was, in many ways, just as obnoxious but walked up to the line without crossing it. John not only crossed it but took a crap on it whilst doing so. I think those of us who grew up in Queens, NY got him…we understood what fueled his inner demons. We knew that he was a Persian kitten pretending to be a Rottweiler…

[@OCRATHLETE]

Connors vs McEnroe USO 1984 semi finals on Super Saturday 4-6,6-4,5-7,6-4,3-6 in favor of McEnroe ending at 11:37 pm . There best match

[@steveconn]

Mac had a mouth and woke up tennis. Hope the doc. does him justice.

[@virginiasmith5895]

Fun show!

[@pamelaroliva8501]

John's favorite subject..............

[@marymorgan1498]

Dear John Wimbledon needed a shakeup

[@acemacgruber6593]

He’s responsible for the ATP putting in the service clock and delay penalties. If he would’ve been defaulted earlier in his career for his abusive gamesmanship tactics the sport would’ve been better off. Lendl was his greatest rival, but he doesn’t want to acknowledge it because Lendl got the better of him.

[@capricornmagic63]

They can keep the modern tennis players with their huge wind ups and sledge hammer ground strokes, guttural, caveman grunts. Those guys come and go but there will only ever be one John Patrick McEnroe.

[@willyjilly9684]

If you read this I hope you have a wonderful day today 💙

[@ST-xg3gy]

Let the man finish his thought.

[@mystrugle900]

The amount I fancy this man is not ok

[@harryp3804]

Get me the nick kriyos documentary after 10 years I'll pay top dolla if it's still a relevant currency then.

[@erlpen2016]

Call the police….”I want to see the captain” John McEnroe in 1988….

[@ericmorrison3563]

the glass will always be half empty

[@drackkor725]

He should have won 7 more majors. But like Greg Norman, he sunk himself.

[@omny6686]

I can't wait for him to square off against Serena at 60 in the documentary and win a set.

[@theoppiesghost]

1984 GOAT

[@laruekasey956]

Iam very disappointed how you treated Ms Kontaveit. All of you said Serena many times ,never once her name. SHE PLAYED A GREAT GAME! WHAT A TERRIBLE THING SHE WENT THROUGH. Serena's dad is gone you don't have to be afraid, to say the wrong thing. I am so upset with U.S, you owe that little girl a apology, 81 yr old fan.LaRue Kasey

[@lisalove2239]

Wow that last journalist speaking has terrible manners. The guest that only gets a few minutes was trying to speak but no he spoke over the guest very loudly and ended with his thoughts. Classless and unprofessional, I didn't watch to hear him I watched to hear the tennis pro.

[@soulwavela6877]

Made great TV

[@gavinballin2323]

He’s very quirky I like him

[@fishmonger6879]

With all the garbage on TV and all the fillers with long intros why would they cut this short?

[@vicbalaoing8511]

Lets make the hashtag #BoycottUSOpen trend for discriminating Novak Djokovic

[@Dman9fp]

Peak Laver & Pancho Gonzales would've thrashed Johny Mac. But that arrogance/ selfishness makes you play better, former greats aren't the most impartial xD

[@cing9545]

It seems that he played against Tom Cruise's double.

[@4lugan]

No. At that moment , Borg was the Goat

[@josephkelley8641]

John was and is to Tennis? What the great Nick Diaz? ... was and is to the UFC/MMA. Conversely Nick is to the UFC and MMA? What John was and is to men's professional tennis. Paradigm-shifters. ...

[@chuckdeless9891]

McEnroe was interesting 1979-1984. Nobody cares about the rest.

[@insanity7579]

Add 1978 as he won the 1978 atp finals in singles and doubles that year and Davis cup.

[@Zenon-fg4dw]

I don’t know what kind of person he is but he was the absolute loudmouth “pits” as a player. Never enjoyed watching him. I viewed him as arrogant and full of himself as a player. I doubt he has changed that much.

[@maddymud]

Why is when people age, they really really look their ethnicity? I feel like he should be sitting in an Irish pub near the sea with a pipe and a wool cap on

[@PilotDaveLI]

John loves to wear black

[@llouis4007]

Mac should’ve been defaulted so many times for his behavior... this resulted in y enjoyment in watching him lose..

[@toonses4300]

Still a grouch.

[@brynwest4495]

Well he's allowed to be

[@annamelanie5151]

And still you watch him.

[@gailwebb9619]

He isn’t grouchy....

[@blueocean-me1ns]

@@gailwebb9619 Screaming at people isn't grouchy? LOL! WTH?

[@gailwebb9619]

@@blueocean-me1ns that was run, this is now. Did he scream at anyone during the interview?

[@rjcav1239]

interviewers are second rate

[@andrewroth9175]

Interesting Documentary Yes. But Why didn't they ask Mac about Djokovic? Should Djokovic be able to play in the U.S. Open unvaccinated? We know how Mac feels about this. The best player in the world and not one question about this? Wimbledon won't let Russians play, but let unvaccinated players play. U.S.Open will let Russians play and yet unvaccinated can't play in US...Crazy!! When will people wake up!

[@ianrobinson4200]

It's not a story, we've known Djokovic wouldn't be able to play the US Open for a long time. It's nothing to do with the US Open, they'd love to have him playing. He can't enter the country

[@bobvadney7240]

I for one couldnt stand this guy on the courts..playing tennis w his orange juice...antics..to.maybe get into an opponent head a bit...especially in tournaments in Europe..it was like he was the " ugly Amarican..." persona....but once he got in the broad cast booth I am his biggest fan...especially having refused to back down fm..his statement that Serena would be like 700 in.the world on the men,s tour...ha ha how he stuck to his guns...vs...the politicizing..left wing loony toons..so here,s to you Mac all the best in the future...

[@jamievidd775]

Nicholas “Curias”, lol

[@yvetteschools4979]

Great player watching him as a young black girl he always came off as entitled

[@tommym321]

I don’t recall him ever playing as a young black girl but I haven’t watched all his matches

[@willnill7946]

@@tommym321 he was a young black girl in 76

[@yvonnestroud8716]

HCaulfield115 I saw it in London