Playing with the legend – John McEnroe

One of the most blessing moments I’ve ever had on the tennis court was certainly when John McEnroe stepped on my court and started hitting with me. In the same time it was the strangest feeling ever. One of the most respected figures in the tennis world, the legend that was on the wallpaper above my bed for a long time when I was a kid, the person who changed a perspective and opinion of millions of people about tennis was rallying with me all of a sudden. Well, not exactly all of a sudden, but it happened so quick for me. As soon as I started working at his tennis academy in New York, I asked his manager if it would be possible to set up the match for me against Johny Mac.

People keep asking me “So, how is he doing at the age of 60? Is he still able to move? Can he return your big serves? How is his serve?”. He moves incredibly well for his age! Excellent anticipation and the feel for the game are helping him to play even matches with great players decades younger than him.

On this video you can see how just average approach to the net on his forehand is just not enough and this passing shot reminded me about some great winners in the epic matches against Bjorn Borg:

First time I played him, I didn’t do well. He was hitting every ball so early, flat, deep with decent pace and amazing accuracy. He was closing the net whenever he could and the court behind him never seemed so narrow and short! His volleys are just insane…

His serve with that unique huge turn on a trophy position is still sharp and accurate , has a lot of spin and the fact that he goes for a big shot right after serve, makes it really hard to break him. These are the highlights from our last match, where you can see the intensity and passion he never gonna lose, intensity and passion that brought him to the world tennis pedestal.

He still hates losing, but appreciates the tough battle that comes from both sides. He is a humble man, easily approachable. In this short interview he will say a few words about Serbian tennis and my compatriots, Serbian players who became a miracle in tennis world recently: