John McEnroe
John McEnroe is an American tennis player who dominated the sport in the early 1980s, known equally for his artistry at the net and his volcanic temper.
His outbursts at officials—You cannot be serious! —made him synonymous with competitive rage.
McEnroe has become a reference point for anyone who argues passionately with referees or authority figures: He went full McEnroe on the umpire.
Tennis tactic: attack net immediately
- WimbledonPremier grass-court championship
- US OpenAmerican tennis championship
- Grand SlamAll four major titles
- baselineStandard for comparison
backhand · forehand · net · tiebreak · ace · double fault · topspin · slice
Sudden emotional release
- tantrumUncontrolled display of frustration
- umpireSports match official
- line judgeSports boundary arbiter
- tiradeExtended angry speech
confrontation · dispute · fine · penalty · default · controversy · hot-headed · fiery
One who examines systematically
- ESPNAmerican sports broadcaster
- NBCAmerican television network
- broadcastTransmitted media signal
- commentaryExplanatory remarks on events
insight · pundit · color commentary · Eurosport · courtside · expert · opinionated · articulate
Left-handed person, informally
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
- opponentOne who contends against
- head-to-headIn direct confrontation
- classic matchMemorable sporting contest
tiebreak · nemesis · competitor · contrast · showdown · duel · rematch · epic
Highest-ranked competitor globally
- trophyAward for winning
- victoryDefeating an opponent
- dominantHaving superior influence
- record-holderOne with best result
achievement · excellence · title · finalist · winner · success · glory · prime
serve-and-volley
Tennis tactic: attack net immediately
- WimbledonPremier grass-court championship
- US OpenAmerican tennis championship
- Grand SlamAll four major titles
baseline · backhand · forehand · net · tiebreak · ace · double fault · topspin · slice · rally
outburst
Sudden emotional release
- tantrumUncontrolled display of frustration
- umpireSports match official
- line judgeSports boundary arbiter
tirade · confrontation · dispute · fine · penalty · default · controversy · hot-headed · fiery · passionate
analyst
One who examines systematically
commentary · insight · pundit · color commentary · Eurosport · courtside · expert · opinionated · articulate · perspective
southpaw
Left-handed person, informally
Jimmy Connors
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
- opponentOne who contends against
- head-to-headIn direct confrontation
classic match · tiebreak · nemesis · competitor · contrast · showdown · duel · rematch · epic
world number one
Highest-ranked competitor globally
record-holder · achievement · excellence · title · finalist · winner · success · glory · prime · peak
- tennisace, serve, forehand, backhand, volley
- Sports LegendsMichael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, Tiger Woods, Tom Brady, Babe Ruth
- 80s sportsMichael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Wayne Gretzky, Joe Montana
- Famous leftiesJimi Hendrix, Paul McCartney, Rafael Nadal, Phil Mickelson, Sandy Koufax
- Racket AthletesRoger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Pete Sampras
- Irish AmericansJoe Biden, Kennedy family, Eugene O'Neill, F. Scott Fitzgerald, James Cagney
John McEnroeArthur Ashe
Roger Federer · Stan Smith · Chris Evert · Pete Sampras · sportsman
John McEnroeRafael Nadal
Chris Evert · Novak Djokovic · baseliner · Andre Agassi · counterpuncher