"We don't like each other" - John McEnroe admits bitter feelings mixed with respect and admiration towards Jimmy Connors

Between 1977 and 1991, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors enjoyed some thrilling contests in what was a compelling rivalry. Years after the pair of them both retired, that same tense feelings were still clear between the two with McEnroe confirming that they do not like each other, but have a whole load of respect for each other.

In those years where they were competing, they faced off 34 times. Overall, McEnroe had the bragging rights as he led 20-14, both winning a Grand Slam final a piece against one another.

Both of the best players of their generation, both had such high and vigorous motivation and drive on court that had helped them go on to etch their names among the greats of tennis.

Unlike some of the current rivalries today, most notably Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner who away from the court get on very well, those well-thought feelings were non-existent between the two Americans who loathed each other as they always looked to get one over the other. Nevertheless, there was deep respect and admiration that the pair had for each other with McEnroe describing this on In Depth with Graham Bensinger.

From the off, McEnroe saw the intense competitiveness that Connors bestowed. His first ever meeting with his fellow countryman was not one to remember.

"I didn't really have a chance," McEnroe recalled when first introducing himself. "'Hey, I'm John McEnroe. You know, nice to meet you.' It was more like he brushed me off before I'd even had a chance to say it."

That was when it sunk in. "So I was like, 'Oh my God, this guy's intense.' And that's — I mean, I knew enough about, even as a kid, you know, people do weird things. And it's, 'Hey, I'm Jimmy Connors. Nice to meet you. Relax, so you play better.' You know, I can understand why he was coming to show this kid, 'And then maybe I'll acknowledge his existence after I kick his ass.'"

While McEnroe confirmed that the pair do not get along amid their vicious rivalry throughout the years, a deep underlying scent of respect and admiration was clear and obvious from one to another.

"No, no, no, no. We don't like each other, you know, and I think that if we were in a room now, we could talk. We always had respect for each other," he said.

"That's absolutely untrue. I always respected Jimmy Connors. As far as the only guy that's ever tried on a tennis court harder than Jimmy Connors, it's Rafael Nadal in my book. And he's not far behind. Every time I'd look in the mirror before I played him or someone else, I'd say to myself, 'Am I trying as hard as Jimmy Connors?' So I definitely, again, with him, I hope that I made him better, and I know he made me better."

He went a little deeper into why their is that hatred between each other. "There's — we sort of have some sort of Irish ancestry that, you know, we might be somewhat volatile or get a little upset, you know, maybe more easily than others. But I mean, from his perspective, I could understand it. I'd be the same way if some 18-year-old kid — and I'm, like, number one or two in the world — and he's trying to take my mantle, or he'd become, you know, the No. 1 American.

"I can see why he would not like that and want to do everything in his power to make sure that didn't happen. So that's, you know, from a competitive aspect, I understand that. And we're not out there like, 'Let's go have dinner afterwards.' So you only see — we only see what's happening sort of on the court. So it's difficult to be able to sort of take a step back and say, 'We're human beings.' You get all worked up, crazed."

He made the comparison of Connors to former baseball player Pete Rose due to their aggressive and fiery competitive manner they possess every time stepping onto centre stage. "I mean, they looked like twins to me, you know. They had those same haircuts and the way they played, you know, that intensity," he commented.

"When Pete Rose ran over — what was it, Ray Fosse or whatever it was — in the All-Star Game, and you're like, "What in God's name is this guy doing?" Breaks the guy's leg or ruins his knee, or whatever it was. And you're thinking, 'This guy's going 110% every time.'"

Those similarities between them had caught McEnroe's eye. "And maybe I didn't forget how he crushed me when I shook his hand. But, you know, that level of — they had this chip on their shoulder, like everyone was against them. So I just thought those two, I literally would look at those two as like almost the exact same people."