Tennis is a sport that has gained a lot of attention and increased in popularity in recent years. More people are interested in watching professional tennis now than ever before and there are also greater numbers of people playing the sport for their own pleasure as well as a form of exercise. On the professional level, fans are not only interested in the sport itself but have a particular fascination with the players. Professional tennis players are well known for their dynamic personalities and they have often been the subject of media exploitation. Famous personalities of the past like John McEnroe were well known for their turbulent emotions and temperamental natures.
During his career McEnroe made some famous, and impressive rivalries with other professional players. Of course this is a common aspect of sports and is always seen between teams and individual players. With McEnroe, the rivalries had the ingredients of media sensations. Some of this most prominent rivals included Bjorn Borg, Ivan Lendl and Jimmy Connors.
McEnroe won seven different Grand Slam singles titles during his career and though he was internationally known for his on, and off, court behaviors, he was also internationally respected for his skill as a player. Unfortunately, for much of the mainstream, who were not specifically tennis fans or enthusiasts, it was his unconventional behaviors that gained him his greatest attention, and it wasn’t positive. However, the seven titles he won, four at the US Open and three at Wimbledon speak volumes about his talent and skill. In addition to the singles titles, McEnroe earned nine men’s doubles titles, yes he could find people to play with him, and one mixed double title. One of the most famous remarks from his Wimbledon highlights days, was his incredulous questioning of the umpire and his sarcastic implication that call was less than sincere. In 1999 he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.