Tennis Greats Recall Favorite Wimbledon Matches

The Wimbledon Championships, a prestigious Grand Slam event held on grass courts, has been the stage for unforgettable moments. Icons have risen and legacies have been cemented at the All-England Club. Two such players, John McEnroe and Tim Henman, recently reminisced about their most memorable matches there.

McEnroe’s Proudest Moment: The 1980 Final

For John McEnroe, his 1980 final against Bjorn Borg stands out. Despite the loss, the match remains a significant point in his career. He later went on to win three Wimbledon titles.

“When I played Borg in the 1980 final. It turned out to be the match I am more proud of than any match I have ever played,”

—John McEnroe

Henman’s Unexpected Triumph Over Federer

Tim Henman, a hometown favorite, reached the Wimbledon semi-finals four times between 1998 and 2002, delighting British fans. He picked a surprising victory as his favorite.

Speaking on the BBC Sounds 6-Love-6 podcast, Henman revealed his favorite Wimbledon memory involved a young Roger Federer. Currently, Wimbledon boasts an impressive 99.4% attendance rate, underscoring its enduring popularity (Wimbledon.com).

“Just because of what he went on to do, it was beating Federer here. He was only 14! It was four sets. I think with what he went on to achieve. That is the only result that my kids are vaguely interested in, they are like you beat Federer at Wimbledon, that’s cool.”

—Tim Henman

A Missed Opportunity: Henman and McEnroe Never Met on Court

Despite their overlapping careers, John McEnroe and Tim Henman never faced each other in an ATP Tour match. Henman began his professional career in 1993, while McEnroe transitioned away from singles competition in 1994, although he continued to play doubles.

Henman had a solid record at Wimbledon, winning 75% of his matches across 14 appearances. Meanwhile, McEnroe enjoyed even greater success at the All England Club, securing victory in 84% of his matches.