John McEnroe: Losing my wife and my edge 

Incredible interview - just perfection - flawless - John gives everything of himself. Speaks to anyone that's ever had to "Find their way back." John's story a lot more gripping than I'd ever realized.

It can’t be easy being an intense person. Respect.

He's remembered for his outbursts, but he's one of the most gifted players of all time, a tennis genius. I've always liked a lot his strong personality (he's a quite charismatic person outside the court) and his intelligence.

The Great John McEnroe has provided millions with memories of his total mastery of tennis and brilliance in shot making. God bless John M. for all the good he has done in his life.

Johnny Mac was my hero when I played as a teen. His serve and volley game was so beautiful and fun to watch compared to the grinding baseline tennis that Borg and Villas were playing at the time. What's interesting about this interview is how thoughtful, candid, and articulate John is, which explains his long second career as a tennis commentator.

I love john, a tennis genius, top comedian and a bright as they come.....so many memories of his games.

Simply the best Mr. McEnroe. Never the same without you. Thank you so much for the years they were great days.

He still holds his own on the senior circuit. Best commentator out there. No need to worry about Johnny Mac

Not only an amazing talent but his total honesty on and off the court is unique.You always knew exactly what he was feeling on the court.

A truly brilliant tennis player , articulate and honest as a person 👏

John, I had the terror and honor of talking with you on the phone when you were calling the pro at the club where I worked in Athens, Ga. It was the biggest moment of my life to the point because I grew up in a tennis family. You did in fact bring the game to a totally different level personally and solely by yourself. You did that by yourself. I know it wasn’t confidence. It was artistry with the confidence that follows knowing deeply that you are so different from everything and everyone else that came before you. For that, not just the snarkiness on the phone that day in 1987, but for your pure artistry and the fearless style You personally (plus your Dad) brought to tennis; a phenomenon that had never been seen before with the Lavers, the Rosewalls, the Connors’ and even the Borgs. You did something that genera changers do in my industry only once in a Miles Davis. Yes you have to be an actor so that nobody knows that this artistry comes easy but is hard to sustain. You have my respect since I first saw you play while you were still at Stanford until this very day. I just bet you are a great musician too. Love to you and yours.

John was such a passionate player, they called him the bad boy of tennis, but he wasn’t, he fought his corner for being right

So nice to be able to see all of these insights and POV's. It helps me much more to see what so many personalities are going through and have been through than to watch somebody else trying to tell me how to run my life.

I wasn’t a fan back in the day, but great to see his honesty, credit were it’s due! 😊

Every year Wimbledon comes around - summer arrives in the Uk-such as it is ! Have listened to Johns commentary for decades . Same age as him. When he stops coming- life will never be the same again ! Thank You John for your hard work and expertise on Tennis here in Uk.

Always loved McEnroe. Graham, I've been interviewing people fr 40+ years. You have a gift, and it was fully on display in this interview. There folks rust you. Well Done!

He comes across well these days. Honest, open and passionate about his life.

What an excellent interviewer! Asks pertinent questions with the minimum of input to allow his guest to express himself without getting in the way. So rare nowadays.

I love John McEnroe because he is not fake, he's real

Reads a quote from Mac describing his feelings (bottom dropping out), and then asks Mac to describe the feeling.THAT'S WHAT THE QUOTE JUST DID!

I was a huge mcenroe fan in the late 80s when he was trying to come back. Even though he didn't come back to his best he was still by far the biggest draw and the most compelling, charismatic figure in tennis in the late 80s

Most talented player I ever saw - 1984 was unbelievable !

Great athlete, great entertainer and brutally honest. Always loved McEnroe

Mac and Laver! Two of the best of all time! Very honest interview.

John, I love you! It doesn't matter that this video is three years old, I just like your honesty, your openness and of course your tennis talent! Blessings always!

He was one of the most entertaining athletes of all time

McEnroe was the most ultra-competitive sportsperson of his time. Also, such an extraordinarily honest man.

One of sport's great and unforgettable characters. And one of the true great tennis champions. I loved watching him play. He hated losing like any true champuon does.

Always been my favourite player, he was so exciting to watch, because he was a great player, and I loved him at the net.

Yeah, John's been in therapy ... very insightful and self-reflective ... good to see. In his time, he was the best, but times change. His marriage to Tatum and those years also brought him a lot of notoriety. Seems like things have settled out for him ... good for him. All that, and he can rock out on the guitar.

Really interesting review with a tennis legend. McEnroe's candor is always refreshing. Would have been nice to have a beer and talk tennis with this guy!

I just subscribed. I appreciate your well-thought questions and the respect you show those people you're interviewing. It is about them.

Nicely said , Mr. McEnroe. I loved watching you play in your prime. My family and friends drove from Vancouver , B.C. to Portland in Sept. of '84 for your Davis Cup matches against Australia. You were unbelievable in your match against Pat Cash ; you were so incredibly dominant..... a real pleasure to see live the passion you showed in playing Davis Cup !

I got to watch McEnroe from his first matches on tour through his senior match’s on 35 + tour. His ability to volley was amazing. Probably the best hands in tennis. I always studied his tactics with shot selection, placement, pace, point strategy etc. He played like a chess player always setting up his next move. I learned a lot especially seeing him playing live when I would sit behind the baseline. He was a master tactician.

If you have never been in that dark place you have no idea what Johns talking about. If you have, John makes perfect sense.

Thanks John for all the great tennis. I patterned your serve, and as a fellow leftie, it drove my opponents mad. Up the line on the deuce court, and kicking out on the ad court and then following it to the net for an easy put away. Just like you, John. Thanks.

Best doubles player ever no question. And mighty singles player

I consider it an honor and a privilege to be able to consider John as one of my closest friends. He’s extremely hard to get to know, but when you do and he finally considers you a friend, he’s incredibly open and honest. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do to help or advise on what path to take. I feel like I can ring him at any hour of the night and his response will be positive and tentative. We both live incredibly busy lives but we always know we have each other’s backs, though I must admit I’ve never actually met him in person nor truly communicated with him on any level.

Really difficult to understand the haters that have commented. I don't see it. Of course I was fortunate to have grown up during the boom years and watched him from his earliest days in the pros to the last sputtering fails... He has the courage to tell it as he saw it and experienced life. Even though he clearly was a tortured mess at the end of his domination of the sport. Thank you to John for all of the beauty you brought to the sport. There is no one that has played with as much touch and grace at the net since you... the game just isn't the same anymore.

HAVING LOOKED HARD AT HIS RECORD....I WAS SUPER IMPRESSED BY HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS!!!

I use to love to dislike him. GUESS WHAT I must concede he OPENED MY EYES IN HOW HE EXPLAINS THE GAME TENNIS AND MAKES TENNIS EASY TO WATCH AND LISTEN TO HIM IS PURE HUMBLING. WHEN HE IS TALKING ABOUT TENNIS HE MAKES IT MORE ATTRACTIVE. THANK YOU JP.

was always fun to watch him play

Definitely the most exciting player of all times ...

*** Just wow. A most touching interview. John reveals a vulnerable and human side I've rarely seen, e.g., how much Pete Sampras telling him "I love you, man" meant to him when John going through some tough times. GREAT interview Graham and thank you John for the memories, past, present and future. You CAN be SERIOUSLY proud of all you've accomplished and given in your life and sport! Bravo.

John was always very candid about himself, his vision and his limitations. When he said he was the greatest player out there, it was true. When things slipped he was honest about that too.

Cold, wholesale, lucid. Three qualities I share with him. Does that mean we love less than others, no way. We love more. The tv would edit and push his cranky demeanour, but there was so much more to him than that. It’s freaky for me because I lost my marriage too and it really derailed me. Nearly 3years on and regretfully I’m still in the clouds. There are Rocky Mountains below them, and blue sky above. Where I end up is totally up to me because I hold the controls. John is one of the most interesting sports champions that has ever lived. I respect him immensely.

MAC was and still is an idol to me. good to hear him speak here, saying things that make so much sense

I met, and shook hands with John, when a band I was in had a gig at the same hotel where he and his family were staying. Short conversation, but I didn't want to take up too much of his time. This happened in the hotel gift shop at the register counter. Very special time for me.

Love McEnroe. We all owe him and Jimmy Connors for making tennis bigtime.

Graham Bensinger you conducted a good interview to allow John to tell his own story and allowed him to express his emotions in a good way. Way to go!

He was a tennis genius. If you never saw him play, you missed an icon of the game.

McEnroe's touch at the net was genius.

My two favorite athletes growing up were Sugar Ray Leonard and John McEnroe. Everything seemed important to him. Everything mattered. I never felt cheated when he played.

Thank you so much for making this video, John and whoever else, that narrator or person who interviewed you, etc.!!!! As an old fan of yours and an old tennis player also, I really enjoyed this, learning about what you went through some! I didn’t know about this at all! Thank you for your honesty, John! And I love your brother Patrick! I love you too, since you have been announcing for all the different tennis matches! Keep on keeping on! Endure to the end! I think you are a great announcer!

As a tennis player, John was a complete genius, an artist with so much touch and feel. Not only was he a great singles player, but phenomenal at doubles as well. That’s something you don’t see in the mens game nowadays!

He still has an amazing game today. Bigtime

John was an exciting player. I liked to see him and Jimmy Connors go at it!

Mac used to come into the bar I worked in-up the coast from his home with Tatum. He liked Margarites and told me one day, "This is the best Margarites I've ever had." I quit the next day. It doesn't get better than that!!

John talks about his life experiences in tennis and private life, with the same intensity as he was playing the game. He is a true artist in that regard, laying his body&soul on the court, as well as in this intervieuw. Thx mr. McEnroe for sharing!!

John’s willingness to be truthful about his experiences and flaws is refreshing. And, shows him to have integrity. I was a Borg fan in awe of Mac’s talent but thought he was a jerk. And now - I see how anxiety brought out his worst reactions on the court (I can relate) and think he would be a pretty cool dude to call a friend.

I saw Johnny Mac play for the first time back when the US 0pen was still played at Forest Hills, NY. It had a ring like Wimbledon does among the majors. He played the veteran Manuel 0rantes of Spain in the final and beat him. Of course not having seen John play before and barely having heard of him, I didn’t really expect much of him. A few minutes into the match it became pretty clear that we were watching someone special. From his odd serve style to his uncanny ground strokes and court coverage, he displayed a great amount of maturity for a young professional. It was like wait….was this guy practicing his skills in secret/private? Amazing and crisp volleys from anywhere on the court, not to mention at the net were impressive to see the least. Not one bit surprised at what he went on to accomplish. Followed him and the other greats of the era like Borg and Jimmy Connors, to mention a couple. Great stuff of tennis legends. Cheers!

McEnroe shows an intelligent mind here. And he is also well spoken

As an ordinary person who just watches the end result of all the preparations.... it is inconceivable all the different parts of their lives that they have to simultaneously balance in order to be transcendent... never mind what is required to stay at that level. I remember watching Mac in his glorious prime. It was clear that he had taken himself right to the edge. And in retrospect, I am slightly embarrassed to admit that was thrilling to watch

Did Jimbo ever tell you, "I love you bro"? I'm joking you Mac, different eras, your honesty to tennis fans is always refreshing. You always put the game in perspective.

I've always respected the McEnroe is very introspective and honest about his career, his ego, etc.

If a McEnroe match was on when I visited my parents, guaranteed my father would be watching him. He would call me over and say ‘watch this fella play’ he said he was a perfectionist and his outbursts were due to frustration on court. He is a vocal presenter and pundit now and slightly mellowed with age, but still fearsome. I seem to understand him even when I don’t necessarily agree with some of the comments he makes.My father is long gone, but McEnroe takes me back to my father and me laughing and bouncing in our armchairs watching him play the game, in every sense of the word.

I’m old enough to have watched his Wimbledon finale against Bjorn Borg both are great sportsmen. He was to me the most entertaining tennis player to watch because of his angry outbursts. I think as a kid I instinctively felt he wasn’t really angry at anyone but himself and at times it was almost comical.Love the man for what he brought as a sportsman plus he’s an honest and humble person.

I absolutely love John.i use to b on my knees shouting at him on the telly. I loved his passion and determination..He's still a brilliant tennis commentator..

McEnroe at the net could take your breath away. There’s never been better.

I watched Mc Enroe as a teenager in his hey day. I really feel he got upset on court genuinely. Some of his antics seemed amusing, but as a professional tennis player every point made in a match counted ti him. He questioned it his way. He is his own personality. His own person. He's human after all, expressing things his way. Lovely that he commentates now and that we see him at Wimbledon. We love you John. Your a great guy. X

McEnroe has been one of the compelling personalities in the game. Totally unique player and style. So smart on and off the court. Great commentator when he is the sidekick as opposed to the main commentator. No matter how long you live you will never see another one like him.

This is one of the very best interviews with an athlete I've ever seen. Ever. McEnroe's honesty.

I continue to be a fan of yours, Tatum and your children. I saw you play at Stanford University. I was very sorry your marriage with Tatum didn't last. But I hope you found enduring happiness in your second marriage.

Hated him as a player but love him as a commentator. Very sharp and knowing and not just tennis.

Still one of my all time favorite tennis players......so exciting to watch him!

As a working class teenager from South London in the 1980s, tennis was a boring 'posh' person's sport. Then John McEnroe came to Wimbledon and suddenly tennis was exciting for me and my peers! His play on court was electric and we were glued to our TV sets. I love his honesty and no bullshit! Sad that his marraige with Tatum didn't work out but I think they were two tortured souls...

THE most exciting player of all time. It was amazing watching him. As a kid, you noticed a lot of interesting things about him. How the temper was always there. How after yelling at someone and having the ref come down on him and the crowd jeering at him, his eyes would go into this 'meditative' place on the return of serve. I've only seen that in one other player, Serena Williams. When he took 6 months off, he didn't expect Becker to materialize out of thin air and taller and more athletic players too, who greatly benefited from non-wood rackets. Borg was great for his time. But those 6 months off ushered in this wind and wave of BETTER athletes, although no one was more skilled in the mind than McEnroe. Anyway. Really cool that he was drinking water during the interview. He's still in good shape and knows when he needs something to feel fresh. And of course, from the time of the interview til now, Djokovic is back on top in a huger way. Hard to explain how exciting McEnroe/Borg was to watch. You're 10 years old. Your heart is racing. And it makes sense, a day later, when you hear how 4 people in Sweden had heart attacks watching that match.

Last man to ever win Wimbledon with a traditional wooden racquet. His finesse and touch was joyous to watch and I think the game was the poorer for racquet evolution favouring the power servers ( the 1994 final between Sampras and Ivanesevic was almost unwatchable with only 3 rallies more than 5 shots in the entire match)

From tennis punk to tennis statesman and world's greatest tennis analyst, what a transformation!

This guy should have been an actor, not only a tennis player!

Besides watching him play, I also like his no B.S. commentary. He does not hedge or spare any feelings. While watching the game he can tell the turning point of the match. Later after the match you can go back and see that he was right. He did that some many times with Sampras -- Agassi matches, it is unreal. Such insights come with personal honesty and integrity. That's his enduring quality as a tennis player.

His temper back in the day was offputting but he kept it interesting. I was felt bad for the umpires he argued with. He seems very insightful now. I feel compassion for Tatum, she did not have a very secure upbringing. I wish them both the very best.

Truly gifted as he was, and even at the height of his powers in 84, all I remember were his unfair rantings and ravings, they overshadowed all his best work and diminish the memory and appreciation of his tennis excellence.

What I admire most about John McEnroe is his heart, competitive drive and his passion for his sport. So many times I see calls being made in basketball and football that are utter rubbish and back in the day we had Bobby Knight, Bo Schembechler and John McEnroe who held these officials accountable. John McEnroe appears to be a good man with a great heart. I'd love to meet him someday. He truly is an inspiration and as a U.S. citizen I thank him for his commitment to the Davis Cup.

An incredibly tough competitor, just watch the 1980 US Open between him and Borg. He was brilliant against the unbeatable Borg. McEnroe had such great style...fluid and aggressive

This man is totally honest & full of passion & truth he’s a better man because he actually admits his faults & doesn’t place blame

He was intensity personified, always going a little faster than the rest of the world.

He looks so different now. Loved watching McEnroe play and also giggled when he became very angry. He was certainly very entertaining.

John Mcenroe is so honest...no delusion whatsoever.

For me 1984 he was the best of the best. I think he was so unique and had his own style. Thanks Mac for all the great matches. H.O.F. player and person.

Just imagine the verbal fights between him and Tatum...two strong volatile personalities

Since I watched that fenomenal Lauda interview I became a fan. You have a special way of making people open up and show their inner truth.

Happy 60th birthday John McEnroe!!!

John, You may have been hot headed at times on the court, However, You are one of the few that gets better during a game when you get fired up. Thank you for so many years of amazing Tennis. Sometimes calling out the truth isn't the most popular decision. Thank you for the honest interview. If ONLY we had people running this country with the same scruples!

The 1984 Wimbledon final McEnroe put in the most complete flawless performance to totally destroy his fiercest and highly competitive opponent Jimmy Connors. I've never seen a player win with so much ease over a brilliant player like Connors. But Connors had no answer on that day and was totally outplayed by a near unbeatable McEnroe that day.

McEnroe always been my favourite, I just loved him as a player and as a person.hes still the best.

Such a refreshingly and even brutally honest person. A lot to admire. But sadly I don't think he's happy. Everyone has their cross to bear

McEnroe is the BEST tennis commentator.

Good raw stuff. Thanks for sharing.

Johnny Mac_____loved watching him---every time his matches were on...true GRIT