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Tributes Athletes John McEnroe biography page_9

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The same year, in the US Open, McEnroe defended his title. He defeated Borg 4–6, 6–2, 6–4, 6–3. Borg retired after the defeat at the US Open, perhaps with a feeling that his reign was over. McEnroe failed to win any major tournaments in 1982. The year also saw an epic battle lasting six hours and 22 minutes in the Davis Cup quarterfinals. McEnroe defeated Mats Wilander giving the US a 3–2 victory over Sweden. But he was back in top form the next year. He won his second Wimbledon defeating Chris Lewis in straight sets (6–2, 6–2, 6–2). He also achieved his 28th singles victory in Davis Cup. Despite his inconsistent performance, McEnroe was ranked as No. 1 player by ATP from 1981 to 1984. In 1983, he also won the Doubles event at the US Open and Wimbledon.
 
McEnroe at his Devastating Best
 
The year 1984 saw McEnroe at the peak of his career. He was in a devastating form that year as he just blew away the competition winning 82 of the 85 matches he played. He won 13 tournaments that year including the Wimbledon and US Opens. He lost the French Open finals, despite leading by two sets. This loss ended McEnroe’s 39-match winning streak and it was the closest he ever reached to winning the French Open Championship. In the Wimbledon finals, McEnroe ruthlessly destroyed Connors game plan defeating him in straight sets 6–1, 6–1, 6–2. Jimmy Connors, who had earned a reputation as one of the greatest returner of the game, had no answer for the slicing serves of McEnroe. McEnroe got 78 per cent of his first serves in and most of them were unreturned. His angled volleys were sharper, the drop shots deadlier and he placed the serve more meticulously than ever before. He committed only two unforced errors during the entire match. This was the third Wimbledon title for McEnroe. Later that year he also won the US Open, his fourth, beating Ivan Lendl 6–3, 6–4, 6–1. This victory marked the last Grand Slam title of his career.
 
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