{"id":25774,"date":"2020-06-07T07:00:04","date_gmt":"2020-06-07T11:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordontennis.com\/?p=25774"},"modified":"2020-06-06T21:15:57","modified_gmt":"2020-06-07T01:15:57","slug":"french-open-flashbacks-john-mcenroe-v-ivan-lendl-1984-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/2020\/06\/07\/french-open-flashbacks-john-mcenroe-v-ivan-lendl-1984-final\/","title":{"rendered":"French Open Flashbacks: John McEnroe v Ivan Lendl 1984 Final"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the French Open meant to have taken place this summer, Last Word on Tennis decided to fill the void by revisiting some famous matches at Roland Garros.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our first trip down memory lane is to the 1984 final between John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><strong>Background<\/strong><\/h1>\n<h1><strong>John McEnroe<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">McEnroe came into the match in the middle of what would be a record breaking season, the American finishing with a calendar year record of 82-3 for the highest single-season win rate in the Open era.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1274057\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 67.171715% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/1274057?et=RxOOyzd_SM9MwRGWBwGijQ&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=c4VAgC3NgKPB-Z3qBEpivQS8JBr0MvLBtcf31eNF_Oo=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"399\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was clear this would be an outstanding year as he began with 42 straight wins, winning six titles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The outspoken star had already shown his prowess on grass with Wimbledon triumphs in 1981 and 1983 as well as three successive US Open titles from 1979.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, he had never quite conquered the clay in Paris, losing to Wilander in the quarter-finals the previous year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><strong>Ivan Lendl<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In contrast, Lendl had yet to get over that Grand Slam hurdle, never mind win the French Open.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/108961568\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 65.82491% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/108961568?et=rJ37-h7qTeFw7QDgftaNfQ&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=H0Wvq9p24Em-CJBPsyoeBOgGpDV91M-09jvsOWCFM1c=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"391\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Czech had reached the final in Paris in 1981 but lost in five sets to Bjorn Borg and the following year he was defeated in the US Open showpiece by Jimmy Connors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He reached his maiden Australian Open final in 1983 but was comfortably seen off by Wilander before losing again to Connors at Flushing Meadows.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite the lack of Slam trophies, Lendl was a clear threat and had consistently shown his class outside of the majors, having won 39 titles to date.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><strong>Head to head<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Throughout their careers their rivalry was keenly fought since it started in 1980 with McEnroe victorious in the opening two meetings but Lendl promptly won the next seven.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the American had appeared to figure out the Czech\u2019s game and came into the final having won seven of their last eight matches.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Part of his 1984 winning streak had included four final victories over Lendl with two on clay as it seemed he was finally imposing his game on the surface.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><strong>Route to the final<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unsurprisingly, given his form, McEnroe came to Paris as the world No. 1 and he eased to the fourth round without dropping a set.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He then beat 12th seed <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jos\u00e9 Higueras in four sets to set up a quarter-final clash with fellow American Jimmy Arias.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">McEnroe won in straight sets and met another compatriot Jimmy Connors in the last-four.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This would be their first meeting at the French Open with both players looking for their maiden final at Roland Garros.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a one-sided affair, McEnroe triumphed 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 to earn a final spot against Lendl who himself had a three-set victory, over Mats Wilander.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><strong>The Final<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With McEnroe\u2019s form and Lendl\u2019s record in Slam finals, it was perhaps no surprise when the American won the first two sets 6-3, 6-2 playing outstandingly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It seemed a formality that McEnroe would win and Lendl\u2019s unwanted record would be extended until an incident swung the momentum.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The score was 1-1, and 0-30 on the Lendl serve, McEnroe was distracted by a cameraman and remonstrated with him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With world No.1 distracted, Lendl survived and gained confidence as a topsy-turvy set went in his favour 6-4.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unruffled, McEnroe looked in control with a 4-2 lead in the fourth set but his usually reliable serve was becoming a weakness as Lendl levelled.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After breaking again, the Czech eventually claimed the fourth set, 7-5.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite being in the ascendancy, history was against the second seed as only <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">three times in the past had the champion come from 0-2 down to win in five sets.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With McEnroe\u2019s abrasive nature and the way the contest had swung, the crowd, who had given him a rapturous reception as he had arrived on court, were now backing Lendl. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The deciding set was an even contest until the sixth game of the set when McEnroe had break point opportunities but could not convert.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just like the third set, Lendl grew in confidence and despite seeing a match point saved, simply earned another one.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This time McEnroe skewed a volley wide and an improbable comeback was complete, handing Lendl his first Slam in the most dramatic circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a breathtaking spectacle there was no doubt who they were now backing as McEnroe declined to address them due to their support of Lendl.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This was met with a chorus of boos which only intensified as the American went off court in contrast to his arrival over four hours earlier.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><strong>What happened next<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This match still haunts McEnroe to this day but he recovered to win the remaining two Slams that year at Wimbledon and the US Open where he beat Lendl in straight sets.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite playing for another nine years, McEnroe would not win another one or even make another final.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lendl would win a further seven majors including at Roland Garros in 1986 and 1987.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/83751081\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 65.99327% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/83751081?et=sH6nPOCUQJtOXZRT6oroxQ&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=pLX26qMF3_r6wWOh776x-uDKdm5hxRbjafPGHU9OCTQ=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"392\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With the French Open meant to have taken place this summer, Last Word on Tennis decided to fill the void by revisiting some famous matches at Roland Garros. Our first trip down memory lane is to the 1984 final between John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl. Background John McEnroe McEnroe came into the match in the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2910,"featured_media":25836,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5,1735,2],"tags":[11446,6316,204,325,11447,160,799],"class_list":["post-25774","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-french-open","category-all-time-best","category-featured","tag-1984-french-open","tag-1984-french-open-final","tag-french-open","tag-ivan-lendl","tag-ivan-lendl-vs-john-mcenroe","tag-john-mcenroe","tag-tennis-history"],"modified_by":"Steen Kirby","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25774","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2910"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25774"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25774\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25836"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25774"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25774"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25774"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}