"He's the only guy I never had an issue with" - McEnroe has high praise for Borg before Laver Cup clash

With the Laver Cup set to kick off on Friday, Team World captain John McEnroe will be renewing a decades-long rivalry with Team Europe Captain, Bjorn Borg.

Although both men have long since retired from the sport, they shall be cheering their respective teams on from the sidelines. Team Europe has emerged victorious at every Laver Cup tournament, with the inaugural edition occurring in 2017.

McEnroe had an intense and renown rivalry with Borg during their playing days, with both men tied at seven wins apiece on the ATP Tour. However, McEnroe says he still looks forward to any opportunity to square off with his rival, and the Laver Cup is no exception.

“I love the guy. We were great friends and rivals,” said McEnroe. “He’s the only guy I never had an issue with. That should tell you something. It’s not ironic because he never said anything."

The retired American stated he admired his Swedish counterpart's poise and reserve, particularly because it was something he himself lacked.

"It was easy for me and Jimmy Connors to go at it, or Ivan Lendl. As I got to know him, I was even more impressed," said McEnroe. "That’s almost impossible for anyone to do. I couldn’t even do what he did in practice, to maintain that sense of calm.”