Former Grand Slam Quarterfinalist Questions John McEnroe’s Competitiveness in Modern Tennis
John McEnroe’s legendary tennis career brought him seven Grand Slam titles and a significant place in tennis history. From the late 1970s to the mid-1980s, McEnroe dominated the sport, winning his first major at the 1979 US Open and defeating notable players such as Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, and Ivan Lendl. His impressive run included spending 170 weeks as the world number one in singles and 269 weeks in doubles rankings.
Modern Tennis and McEnroe’s Potential
In an exclusive interview with The Tennis Gazette, former ATP pro Ronald Agenor discussed how John McEnroe might perform in today’s tennis landscape. Agenor, who himself reached a career-high ranking of 22nd after a strong run in the 1989 French Open quarterfinals, shared his thoughts on the evolution of the sport.
Agenor’s Analysis of Modern Tennis
Ronald Agenor expressed concerns over what he describes as a regression in technical skill in modern tennis. He laments the loss of artistry, recalling the extraordinary play from the 1960s and 70s. According to Agenor, today’s game has shifted more towards physical strength and power, which could diminish the creative aspects he admires.
Competitiveness of Tennis Greats
Despite these changes, Agenor believes that tennis legends like John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, and Boris Becker would remain competitive. He argues that McEnroe would still rank among the top three players if he were competing on the current ATP Tour.
The Dominance of Alcaraz and Sinner
If McEnroe were playing today, he would face formidable opponents like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. These players have dominated the ATP Tour since early 2024, winning all eight recent Grand Slam titles between them. The competition between Alcaraz and Sinner has sparked debates among fans regarding their greatness.
| Grand Slam | Winner | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Australian Open | Jannik Sinner | Daniil Medvedev |
| 2024 French Open | Carlos Alcaraz | Alexander Zverev |
| 2024 Wimbledon | Carlos Alcaraz | Novak Djokovic |
| 2024 US Open | Jannik Sinner | Taylor Fritz |
| 2025 Australian Open | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev |
| 2025 French Open | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner |
| 2025 Wimbledon | Jannik Sinner | Carlos Alcaraz |
| 2025 US Open | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner |
Sinner vs. Alcaraz: A Contemporary Rivalry
Ronald Agenor has also weighed in on the debate, declaring Jannik Sinner as the best player currently, despite his number two world ranking. Sinner, according to Agenor, exhibits an impressive style reminiscent of past greats like Bjorn Borg. While Alcaraz occasionally displays artistic play, Agenor feels Sinner’s approach stands out.
The rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner promises to continue capturing tennis fans’ attention, as they anticipate a potential third challenger to emerge and add further intrigue to the narrative.
