The 1984 Masters match between McEnroe and Wilander is a perfect example of why McEnroe that year played a level of tennis unequaled before or since. On one of the points McEnroe hit a stretch backhand drop volley crosscourt in which McEnroe was standing next to the right side singles sideline and his drop volley landed about 3-4 inches beyond the net just inside the opposite singles sideline on Wilander's side of the court and Wilander had no chance of getting the ball back. On another point McEnroe hit a touch forehand drop shot that landed barely beyond the net on Wilander's backhand side of the court (the ad court) and Wilander once again could not get the ball back. You didn't see Federer during his dominant years on the men's pro tennis tour attempt shots like that on a tennis court.

The next year--January, 85--McEnroe again faced Wilander in the Masters semis and defeated him 6-1, 6-1 in a stunning performance. McEnroe's play at that time was in my opinion the best tennis anyone had ever seen. To this day, McEnroe's touch at net and ability to rob opponents of their timing with groundstrokes hit early remain in my opinion unsurpassed in the game's history. I do not believe any rating of tennis's all-time greats should have any player ahead of McEnroe.

God this is old school tennis. Using slice spins, speed anticipation and skill. Back when you lost to a guy because he was the better player, not because he hit the ball harder.

I love how Johns ground strokes resemble table tennis more than tennis. Combined with the left hand, amazing accuracy, unique and hard to read serve, the attacking style. He's either the #1 or #2 all time best serve and volley player ever. Stefan Edberg being the other. Sampras and Becker #3 and #4 in no order.

Between this masters(1984) and the following year mcenroe played the best tennis l have seen in my life.

Me and my brother got to see McEnroe and Wilander play in an exhibition match in Albuquerque NM January 1986.

So beautiful tennis!

high quality of sound and immages; very good sport video thank's

When you watch Mats, you come away with the impression that he could run all day and not be tired.

@lb33isu well said. I believe if tennis was pure, meaning that small headed rackets-possibly wooden were used, Mcenroe would destroy players who came after him.(particularly the likes of Nadal)

1:14 best EVER touch and angles at the net.

It was in my opinion the middle of the 1985 season. He won the WTC tournament in Dallas a few weeks later Lendl took him apart at a clay court event at Forrest Hills. It was down hill from there. He got served off the court by Kevin Curren at Wimbledon in the quarters and a five hour plus simifinal against Wilander doomed him against Lendl in the 85 US Open Final. 1986 was a catastrophe leading to a six month sabbatical after that it was over. Some say drugs some say Tatum O'Neal some say both. All I know is the most talented player to ever pick up a raquet would spend the rest of he's career at best a top 15 player. The End.

Mcenroe is playing modern in a way as he approach the ball mowing forward as fast as possible. The technique is not exactly modern but his wrist.. my god his touch is soo good. He would be a top player today as well but he would play the game totally different.

love the camera angle u'd think after 25 yrs the camera work & instant replays in today's matches would be better but it's actually way worse

Wilander's game was always about as exciting as dried leaves.

At moments I get the impression like John is not hitting the ball. Big difference then was that they played a lot from the base and inside the court and from the net. Today most of the game hapens behind the base line, one meter or meter and the half or more, it has changed drasticly. Today is about power back then it was about skill and feeling.

two of my favorite players. Loving Mac's tennis is easy but I also enjoyed a lot Wilander's. I liked his capacity to stay focused and the fact that, after all, he invested in making his tennis less predictable by learning to play even by the net (if I remember well there was a period in which he was playing double to improve his skills)

The superb tennis on display here shows up the modern game for what it is today - a boring, unvarying baseline slugfest, with no touch or finesse at all. Mac, you were magnificent - and you are missed, mate.

2 Legends

Wow, no slamming the ball to kingdom come; it's all about placement and finesse.

Reminds me of how Fed is playing atm (McEnroe): rallying and then unleashing a big one and following it in

Really like Wilander's forehand here: open stance and a modern-looking finish at hip level. I think it was really cutting edge stuff. His footwork on the backhand is a different story as he often hit with a closed stance. I don't think it was quite as effective a stroke and might explain why he favoured the slice in engineering subsequent GS wins. Anyone have any thoughts to share on this? I also hear he is one of the nicest, most modest people ever to achieve great success in the sport.

They ended their match statistiks with 7 wins for Wilander against McCenroe and 7 wins for McCenroe against Wilander. A tie. I have to Give the advantagd to Wilander though as he faced Off against McCaeneoe at 17 years old While McCaeneoe allready was established No 1 or 2 in the world. Had They been the same age Wilander would have had more wins over McCenroe. Wilander was something extra. At 17 years old he Wins the French Open. In Australian Open at 18 years of age he easily defeats McCenroe at Grass at Australian Open. Wilander won 7 Grandslams became works no 1 for 6 months and retired at age 24. His Grandslamtitlar wins was French Open 1982, Australian Open 1983 and 1984, French Open 1985. Australian Open, French Open and US Open 1988. Besides winning 3 put of four Grand slams in 1988 he won the 5 th and 6 th most important tournaments, Key Biscane and Cincinnati. Wilander is the only player Who has won Hard Court tournament in Cincinnati 4 times.

I think like most true problems you face in life it was a combination of everything. If you choose to abuse talents you have been freely given in life you are doomed to forever lose them.

Ib33isu - %100 agree

where was this Master? US??? which city???

Outstanding clarity, is this the only vid?

At 2:13 the best reaction at net.

new york???

New York at the Garden

McEnroe in straight sets. This was when he's game was still solid, especially from the back court.

Que empuñadura mas cerrada la de wilander!!!!

Was Mats doin' a bit of coke in the change over?

high school girls hit harder than this these days. different game, not easier, just different

Interested in more games with McEnroe, Connors and Borg on DVD? Mail me for a list at: Sportdiggare@mail.com.

McEnroe dictating points by consistently hitting the ball on the rise on his backhand. He failed to do this later in his tennis career. He had to fight real hard to win pts. after this. It cost him future slams.

There are two eras of tennis, before Agassi and after Agassi. The before era is a little hard to watch, but a fun novelty to look back on for a set.

Krass! Das Tempo ist heute Kreisliga ;-)

'84 was the crybaby's best year, for sure.

C'est dingue, on a l'impression qu'ils jouent au ralenti...

Looks like table tennis compared to today’s power hitters.

Mcenroe hits like a girl lol

Such a boring, unsexy, ephemeral style. It s almost painful to watch. I like Roger’s way of winning much better.