John McEnroe remains one of the most iconic figures in tennis history. Although players like Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer have surpassed him in the number of major titles, McEnroe’s impact is undeniable, having held the ATP number one ranking for an impressive 170 weeks. Over a 16-year professional career, he captured seven Grand Slam titles and was honored as ATP Player of the Year three times during the 1980s.

While McEnroe dominated his era, his toughest opponent was not one of the usual legendary names associated with his rivalries. Instead, he identified a less expected challenger as the hardest competitor he faced on the court.

Examining McEnroe’s Most Famous Rivalries

One of McEnroe’s most celebrated rivalries was with Bjorn Borg. Between 1978 and 1981, they contested 14 singles matches, splitting wins evenly at 7-7. Their 1980 Wimbledon final is often remembered as a classic, with Borg, the five-time Wimbledon champion, prevailing over the then-young McEnroe in five sets. McEnroe later bested Borg at the 1980 US Open and the 1981 Wimbledon tournament, marking significant wins in their intense competition.

Another long-standing rivalry was with fellow American Jimmy Connors. Over 14 years, Connors held the advantage in their 34 meetings, winning 20 times compared to McEnroe’s 14 victories. They faced each other four times at Wimbledon, evenly split 2-2, and also met four times at the US Open, where McEnroe managed to secure three wins out of their four encounters.

Boris Becker was a noteworthy adversary for McEnroe during the brief eight years their careers overlapped. Of their ten encounters, Becker won eight matches, including a famed six-hour duel in the 1987 Davis Cup. Despite this, McEnroe recorded a rare victory against Becker in their only Grand Slam meeting at the 1992 Australian Open.

The Player John McEnroe Considered His Most Difficult Rival

Despite his memorable battles with Borg, Connors, and Becker, McEnroe revealed that his toughest opponent was Pete Sampras. Sampras turned professional at just 17 and held the ATP number one ranking for 286 weeks, surpassing McEnroe’s time at the top. Their personal head-to-head record favors Sampras, who won all three matches against McEnroe.

In an interview with WIRED’s YouTube Channel, McEnroe explained why he regarded Sampras as the hardest competitor he ever faced, describing the challenges Sampras presented during their encounters late in McEnroe’s career and early in Sampras’s.

He said,

“I had the opportunity to face a lot of great players, won and lost. Did my share of losing against a lot of them. Bjorn Borg was obviously my greatest rival.”

McEnroe continued,

“Jimmy Connors was an incredible competitor alongside the likes of Rafael Nadal. The effort he gave was very intimidating. My toughest opponent I ever played, though, at the end of my career unfortunately, and the beginning of his – his name was Pete Sampras.”

Reflecting on their matchups, McEnroe added,

“It felt like I just had the racket taken out of my hands. It didn’t matter what I did almost, he served so big and was hitting the ball so hard that I wasn’t able to do my thing. He took me out of my game, and I wasn’t moving as well as I was early in my career, so that made it a lot worse.”

—John McEnroe, Former World No. 1 Tennis Player

Why This Revelation Matters for Tennis History

McEnroe’s recognition of Pete Sampras as his toughest tennis opponent offers valuable insight into the challenges faced by athletes at different stages of their careers. While traditional rivalries like those against Borg and Connors are widely celebrated, McEnroe’s candid reflection highlights the evolving nature of competition and his respect for the emerging talent that Sampras represented.

This admission also underscores the intensity and physical demands typical of high-level tennis, especially as players age or face opponents with contrasting skills and playing styles. For tennis fans and historians alike, it enriches the narrative of McEnroe’s career, emphasizing the endurance and adaptability required to compete with the best across different generations.