Champions Tour: John McEnroe says goodbye to active tennis for good

John McEnroe has finally retired from competition tennis. The 59-year-old US-American bid farewell to his colleagues on the Champions Tour in London.

A victory at the end of a tennis life stage is always a pleasure to take with you. Especially when a player is blessed with the relentless ambition of John McEnroe. And so it was only right that the legendary left-hander said goodbye to the Champions Tour, on which he worked for 21 years, with a match success.

Tim Henman should have been McEnroe’s last partner standing on the right side of the net with the US American. On Friday evening Thomas Enqvist and Goran Ivanisevic had arrived at the Royal Albert Hall in London opposite, two former professionals who do not have the reputation of McEnroe, but a much younger date of birth.

McEnroe, now 59 years old, was at least moved by the occasion after his departure. “It’s a different feeling than on the main tour,” says the seven-time major winner. “We all go to the square and give 100 percent, but it’s a different feeling and a great camaraderie among us.” The decision not to compete on the Champions Tour any more had not matured overnight.

“A few years ago I said that I just couldn’t do it anymore,” McEnroe explained in the hall. “These players are very good, they are professionals. I said: war´s, but then they told me to play a double one more time to say goodbye. And that’s all I can say: Thank you.”