John McEnroe vs. Paul Annacone Extended Highlights | 1986 US Open Round 1

[@genewagner6491]

No falling down on the ground after match point, just a man's handshake. No stupid fist pumping. No grunting. A great era for tennis.

[@datacipher]

@arnoldallen3276 McEnroe over Lendl 6-1 6-3 Brussels 84, Lendl over Agassi 6-2 6-3 Forest Hills 89, Agassi over Federer 6-1 6-2 6-4 US Open 2001, but YEAH...you'd KILL McEnroe - with laughter.

[@datacipher]

​@arnoldallen3276 Nope. Knew all those matches off the top of my head. Though I had to look up the specific scores. Note as well I chose those players as they had more than one match with each other and there was a clear pattern. McEnroe beat Lendl many times. Lendl dominated Agassi (and Jim Courier as well) until 1992 when Agassi broke his hold at the Canadian Open when Lendl had just returned from a knee and back injury (which ultimately made him retire not long after) and Agassi had just won Wimbledon. In fact, even Sampras has said that he found Lendl unstoppable and was manhandled by Lendl until the 1990 Us Open when he sensed that Lendl had come down just a bit from his prime, and Sampras had improved and knew he had a chance. Agassi also clearly had the better of Federer in the first years on the tour for Roger. You are obviously not only a childish person, but you are clearly disingenuous and trolling - or are extremely dimwitted. So I'll set aside your silly claims about your 16 yr old tennis prowess (wherein you accomplished nothing of note). I did not claim losers here were at their peak - in fact by its very nature this is a chain of ships passing in the night. What I do expect will be clear to anyone objective is that these players were competitive with each other and the notion that any of them would be beaten easily "6-0, 6-0 6-0" to "infinity" as you so... eloquently expressed lol is empirically disproven. While you mockingly called me a student of the game, indeed I am having contributed to tennis forums since the 90's and having coached countless people including one who went pro, several who got college scholarships, and world class juniors - one of whom became a national champion in his country, and had multiple wins over Roddick and a win over Federer (though that was in doubles) in the juniors. Another was the practice partner for Courier for a couple of weeks. While it doesn't match the glory of tennis with neighbourhood buddies until 16, it has afforded me the chance to be on-court with tennis greatness on more than one occasion and to see firsthand the levels of the game.

[@mrbungle7586]

​@arnoldallen3276so you talked shite at 16 is fair enough, but you're still talking shite. Well done, legend in your own lunch box. 👍

[@mrbungle7586]

@arnoldallen3276 you sound very immature with a small intellect.

[@mrbungle7586]

@arnoldallen3276 immature and unintelligent reply. Not at all surprised.

[@sludge86]

Man, Nike had the coolest clothes back then. If only I could’ve had that McEnroe jacket

[@Turbominchia2]

If only I could've had that McEnroe serve

[@sliceserve234]

I grew up watching this tennis, so many great points.

[@stevephlyer]

Why only the highlights?! These matches of the 80s are far better than what we see today in tennis.

[@snierz9573]

today´s tennis sucks

[@hangarby10]

Remember watching this match in the middle of the day on USA. It was highly anticipated due to Mac’s return. Back then, six months layoff was noticeable and people realized how boring tennis was without Mac.

[@mrbungle7586]

Same. Mac looked good for a set. After loosing, I thought at the time, he'll never get back to 84 form.

[@drewdewolf7817]

​@@mrbungle7586and he didn't

[@hymansahak181]

You can see a little bit of Pete’s game in Paul.

[@HeeJunFan]

Had the same thought

[@miotubo839]

Paul Annacone. Very underrated net rusher, one of the best.

[@billfletcher7602]

Mac had a beautiful tennis game to watch!

[@Highwaymen2]

Pat Cash said there has never been a player further ahead of the field than McEnroe in 1984.

[@elwoodpalmer7622]

Beginning of the end in 1986; he was never the same player after his break in early 1986

[@romcallis]

I saw Annacone play on an outside court at Wimbledon one year. He charged the net at every opportunity he could. He was like a cat at the net.

[@mweymar]

(Didn't want to hit too many groundstrokes...)

[@CJZM7777]

I saw Annacone play McEnroe in an indoor exhibition. It was a race to see who could get to the net first. Annacone was coming in on all of Mc's 2nd serves and even some of the first serves too.

[@Perebynis]

Alternative title: How the mighty have fallen. Btw., USTA, could you feed us some matches of Mac in his prime?

[@heinzconrads5243]

... much more entertaing than contamporary tennis!

[@patoconnor9600]

Could not agree more!

[@AtlanticDNA]

This is real tennis. Nadal and Djokovic are Drug Cheats

[@tennnis498]

They both would pull up their chin when hitting a backhand or volley. Nobody does that anymore, they keep the head and chin still.

[@hotstixx]

It's patty cake compared to today..women today hit much harder than that.

[@tennnis498]

@@hotstixx 💯

[@lzv6990]

This match tells me it wasn’t just the power game that chased McEnroe out, but rather he lost sharpness and quickness. Annacone was hardly a power player, but rather charged the net as much as he could. But Mac looks frail and thin here. Also, his 2nd serve was never the same.

[@KingCast65]

Kinda... and the fact that he returned more focused much later in '92 supports your position but believe me all the power all the time was gonna be rough for even Mac to deal with in the new era.

[@SuperHammaren]

@@KingCast65 This is Mcenroe after a long absence from tennis right? Or I remember wrong?

[@KingCast65]

@@SuperHammaren It was like a year IIRC quite some time plus his other demons and distractions at the time.

[@smftrsddvjiou6443]

@@SuperHammaren Yes, almost a year, during which he became a junkie.

[@MichaelJamesLorinReviews-wg8br]

It looks drug use had taken over his life. He was half athlete and half drug user during this time. That was the big distraction. His talent did not abandon him.

[@datacipher]

During this period McEnroe looked like a scarecrow skeleton, lost power, and wasn’t as sharp. He claimed after that he had thought losing weight would be good to regain his awesome quickness and be easier on knees. I do wonder if the reputed partying and drug use during this time played a part however.

[@leecodd6857]

tatum and coke ruined mac

[@vijaynarsapur147]

He had no concept of training... None of the new guys that came after him had his cat like quickness, or stamina, or imagination. But his self abuse did him in...what a tragedy for our sport...

[@TennisOnAction]

@@leecodd6857 is that true he does drugs?

[@sco3putt]

@@TennisOnAction He admitted to coke.

[@TennisOnAction]

@@sco3putt wow he still good player.

[@richcampbell6808]

JOHN had the best Volleys of all time.

[@uncletony6210]

I think Rafter and Edberg had better.

[@uncletony6210]

He lost this match on the exact same high/sitter volley that he hit to lose the 84 FO.

[@richcampbell6808]

@@uncletony6210 Lol. Not

[@uncletony6210]

@@richcampbell6808 Mac had better touch and possibly quicker hands but he couldn't handle pace like Rafter and Edberg. Also, they were able to generate more pace off they're volleys. This is why John had little to no success against the likes of Courier, Andre, and Pete; whereas Rafter and Edberg could hold their own against those guys. *There's the Truth you were seeking.

[@richcampbell6808]

@@uncletony6210 Because Edberg and Rafter used newer better technology racket. Mac just came off wood so he used a very weak racket. Rafter won hardly anything and not close .

[@numademasi3535]

Anche quando perdeva John dava sempre spettacolo.

[@markthomas3730]

MASSIVE CHOKE on match point...that's the EXACT same shot he missed against Lendl at the French Open in '84

[@GMiltown]

This had to be the dullest US Open ever. McEnroe loses 1st Round, Connors out in 3rd round. Just one 5 set match in the 15 matches from 4th round to finals. Brutal.

[@hangarby10]

Yes! I thought the same! First USO final since ‘73 and no Connors/Mac! Lendl vs Mecir? Zzzzz

[@wallacegrommet9343]

I had exactly the same hairstyle in 1986.

[@gastondeveaux3783]

This is incredible tennis !

[@user-jv9qz2bu1r]

exciting bang bang attacking tennis from both sides of the net - love this match

[@berndeigner8837]

Of course not the power of todays tennis, but much more variety of styles , personalities and entertainment!

[@SobersRajakumar]

today's power is synthetic not from the player. The game has gone down hill since the 2000s

[@alecmorariu6291]

@@SobersRajakumar”mechanic” 😂😂😂😂

[@SobersRajakumar]

@@alecmorariu6291 In the 2000s, power in tennis was seen as more "natural" or inherent to the player's physique and technique. Today, I feel power is "synthetic," implying it's generated less by the player's innate abilities and more by equipment advancements (the "tools")

[@fb30xhk]

OK, so this was not McEnroe at his best, but as far as volleying goes he remains the champ

[@jorgericci1966]

QUE MARAVILLA TODO TALENTO

[@kingarthurusatenniscoach1415]

Mac was done The weed and lifestyle finished after 84

[@tmaeda1972]

そーなんだよねー マックはサーブ＆ボレーのプレーヤーなのにパッシングが抜群に上手いんだよなー

[@redbunnytail9528]

Fast forwarded it to the end and I was right. I remember this match, because McEnroe does not push a sitter-volley wide at a crucial time. I was a kid when I watched this, and I remember chuckling to myself about how angry he would be, although I wanted McEnroe to win. McEnroe loses in the first round. The air is out of the balloon, as far as excitement.

[@guardiancarthur]

French Open 1984, match point down: misses forehand volley wide, off Lendl's return of serve. Not exactly a trope, but it's easily done.

[@olivernorth1993]

I love McEnroe but he never adjusted to the modern player during each year of the tennis era. No weight lifting, no training and no adjustment to his game. Yes, the hamstring injury and the time off did not serve him well, but to rely on his past talents is what did him in. Man! I suffered every time he lost. Especially to Edberg in the Wimbledon semifinals in 89 and 91. He will always be my favorite along with Novak, Pat Cash and Goran.

[@NorsePJ]

Loved the game back then. Much more fun watching serve volleyers playing. Now it's just bigger rackets and slamming the ball back and forth like robots. 1...2...3......

[@johannebimont6960]

I love John.

[@davidphelan5607]

Mac looks fine, a little less power, like 1981 with Dunlop Maxply Fort. Annacone played very well and it's a first-round match. Mac went on a winning tear after the Open and remember he played well against Becker in August. It's a myth that the layoff hurt him; took more time for his game to deteriorate

[@fundhund62]

Not a myth at all. In the words of Wally Masur, after his six month hiatus "he was the same person but not the same player".

[@mddistribution30]

This match was unfortunately an example of Mac's career during his later years. He flattered to deceive but was just a shadow of the player he had been in the early 80s

[@dimitrioskatsochis2338]

McEnroe on his way towards regaining shape, there. Spectacular tennis player, all in all

[@johnrenehan7406]

Annacone way less effective on the touch volleys / drops around the net - but very effective everywhere else

[@jonrobles1468]

At this point, the power game began to take shape: powerful serves and groundstrokes. It began with Lendl and his power game when he broke through for his first GS title at the 84 French Open (ironically over McEnroe) and has evolved into today's game. McEnroe couldn't handle the power game that was evolving; his last great stand was in the 1990 US Open when he reached the semis at 31 (which back then was old) but lost to Pete Sampras in straight sets.

[@nickmandis6513]

He did struggle with power. However I think he had a hamstring injury in late 84 which he never rehabilitated properly. This affected his speed going into 85 and he was never the same. In that 1990 semi he did manage to take a set off Sampras.

[@smftrsddvjiou6443]

Yes, however actually McEnroe won the third set against Sampras.

[@olivernorth1993]

Could not agree with you more! Super insight Jon

[@Silk1970]

The last great stand was the Australian open in 1992, where he produced a vintage performance to defuse defending champion Boris Becker in straight sets and won a classic encounter against Emilio Sanchez in 5 sets.

[@TennisOnAction]

Sampras chosen coach 👍.

[@americanpatriot7233]

the 2nd round match annacone played against krickstein was even better than this one, it went to a 5th set tiebreak with krickstein winning the match.

[@Logans3Run]

Annacone had a superb backhand and could mix up his game with his approaches to the net. It was always an interesting game when Mac was on the court, whoever he was playing against...

[@iggypopisgod9]

mac took 6 mos off and it showed: his serve lost some pop, which is death for volleyer

[@Tennisisreallyfun]

Great commentary, at least from these highlights. Super focused on the tennis with good insights into the building blocks behind each point from the footwork to the anticipation, choice of direction in shots, spin, etc… Great stuff for those who are new and experienced in tennis alike. Nowadays the commentary is just ridiculous. Useless details about the athlete’s personal lives, foolish “one-liners”, talking over the points, showing bias for one player vs the other, lots of shouting, etc… Totally unnecessary, I’m here for tennis commentary, not gossip and amateur improv comedy.

[@jerryking45]

Garfunkel needs a haircut

[@正男-c5z]

That was a real turning point of McEnroe's professional career. That was the beginning of his declining. At least from my point of view, he already lost a step and will power for seeking a victory. No one ever doubt for McEnroe's talent, and Paul Annacone was not especially strong opponent for McEnroe when he was at his prime because Annacone does not especially obtain fast step on the court nor sharp angle of his 1st serve. Annacone never won, but McEnroe lost a match. He should have retired from professional of the tennis in the end of 1985.

[@smftrsddvjiou6443]

Yes, just look at his first volley position after his serve. Almost a step behind the T-line. So he was forced to take a lot of half volleys, what is always a bad idea, or he could not reach the return at all.

[@stevengujsky24]

Folks busting Mac but the prodigious talent is still clearly visible. The mind and heart simply weren’t there anymore. A skinny, focused Mac would have mopped the floor with Annacone.

[@running2standstill685]

Had to watch paul was at some point sampras’ coach. I used to say as a teen in the 90’s boring serve and volley and today when everyones hitting these softer balls way behind the baseline boring no ones serving and volleying 😂, i almost never watch matches of today anymore.

[@uziwitacuzi]

Annecone hit 23 aces, and they show only the last one lol

[@mirnesnuhanovic9597]

Tennis has obviously evolved. They have become too obvious with too frequent going to the net. Their talent is visible, but the style of play from the modern perspective is very naive.

[@wallacegrommet9343]

Tennis became a burden for Mac

[@HandsomeCat-we2dq]

Mac looking like a homeless guy here!

[@smftrsddvjiou6443]

McEnroe already looked so slow.

[@311superfly]

Mary kills in . bye.

[@MrProstaff61]

McEnroe didn’t transition from wood to graphite rackets well. He couldn’t handle the power players were now getting.

[@capricornmagic63]

With all due respect, you have no idea what you're talking about.

[@michaelgarza8271]

82-3 in 1984... I think that idea is a misconception. There were other factors.

[@tennnis498]

@@michaelgarza8271 Must have made Annacone proud. I believe Mac set a record that year that remains unbroken. Highest winning %.

[@michaelgarza8271]

@@tennnis498 The difference between the McEnroe of 84 and the McEnroe of this match is utterly shocking.

[@michaelgarza8271]

@@tennnis498 McEnroe was otherworldly great that year. He is my favorite tennis player of all time. The footage of him closing in on the net in 1984...Even for him, that was such a crazy level...to be destroying Lendl on the clay of Roland Garros for 2 sets... I started watching him after his prime and was astounded when I saw what he had been before. This footage here is disturbing. Something went so terribly, tragically wrong. No player captures my imagination like him. No one.

[@Roadrunner65553]

I’m laughing . Mac was such a brat…

[@MH117]

So sad to see

[@kextrz]

Another one of those clips that should come with a warning: Keep away from the comment section. At your own risk. We decline all responsibilities.

[@Aragorn_Arathorns_Sohn]

Thank you Tatum O’Neal ...🙂

[@robjames1037]

Annacone still holds the record for being the nerdiest-looking tennis player on tour.

[@alanchong7513]

He's has good enough intellect and coaching ability to coach Sampras and Federer. The old adage 'never judge a book by its cover.'

[@sludge86]

Gosh, that was such bad tennis. How in the world did McEnroe lose to him?

[@rjamesyork]

I don’t know, but I bet it was your fault

[@datacipher]

Look at mcenroe’s body here.

[@Mangoshake2021]

Coked out with Tatum the night before

[@silviosarunic3234]

Learn who Paul was!

[@datacipher]

@@silviosarunic3234 a fine coach who had an ok singles career with 3 titles and 1 slam quarterfinal and a fine doubles career? Lol. You’re comparing him to one of the all time greats and arguably the most talented player in many areas to ever play. A man who was unbeatable only 2 years before. It’s a fair question. Not sure why you’d think it not so.

[@richcampbell6808]

John best him 6 times. Obviously John had his number

[@TIZNYC]

Crackenroe

[@kingtrawal]

Very different from what Tennis is today… Which is good, I don’t like watching net play