John McEnroe Presented With Hall of Fame Ring at U.S. Open
American tennis star and former world number one John McEnroe was presented the highest honor in tennis in 1999- induction to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and at the 2012 U.S. Open on Thursday, this important achievement was celebrated once again, when McEnroe was presented his official Hall of Fame ring. The ring was presented by Hall of Fame Chairman Christopher Clouser. McEnroe’s ESPN colleagues and fellow Hall of Famers Pam Shriver and Chris Evert also joined in the special presentation, along with ESPN’s Darren Cahill, Cliff Drysdale, Mary Joe Fernandez, Patrick McEnroe and Chris McKendry.
"John is undoubtedly one of the greatest legends of the sport of tennis. As a player, he delivered some of the most exciting moments in the sport’s history, and today, he continues to play an active, important role in the game as a commentator," said Clouser. "He is one of New York’s most iconic sports heroes, and a US Open legend, and we are so pleased to recognize his achievements with this special ring at an event where he is such an integral part of the history."
In the late 1970s, McEnroe rose to fame as one of America’s most exciting tennis stars. Known for his competitive spirit and outstanding volley skills, McEnroe attracted countless fans to the sport. His epic Wimbledon matches and rivalries with fellow tennis legends like Bjorn Borg and Ivan Lendl are among some of the most celebrated moments in tennis history. Among his 17 Grand Slam tournament titles, McEnroe won three singles titles at Wimbledon, and five doubles titles, as well as four US Open singles titles and four US Open doubles titles. His first major victory came at the 1977 French Open, when he won the mixed doubles title with Mary Carillo. He was ranked world number one in both singles and doubles. A highlight of McEnroe’s legacy in the sport is his commitment to the Davis Cup. He was a dedicated member of the team for more than a decade, and helped lead the Americans to four Davis Cup championships. McEnroe remains active in tennis today, serving as a commentator for ESPN and CBS. He continues to play senior events, and in 2012, he partnered with his brother, Patrick, to win the French Open senior doubles title.
The Hall of Fame rings were introduced last year and are being presented to Hall of Famers at tennis events around the world over the next few years as a special symbol of their induction. Hall of Fame ring ceremonies have been hosted recently at La Grande Nuit de Tennis at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters where Frankie Durr, Ilie Nastase, Nicola Pietrangeli, and Gianni Clerici were honored, and at the Copa Claro tournament in Buenos Aires, where Gabriela Sabatini was presented her ring. The ring presentations have offered a platform for tennis fans to re-connect with some of the greatest champions of the sport at venues and events that have significant meaning to the Hall of Famers and their fans. The personalized rings bear a green stone set in gold, to complement the Hall of Fame’s brand colors. In addition, the rings are etched with each honoree’s name and the Hall of Fame logo crest. The rings have been generously underwritten by The Bruce T. Halle Family of Scottsdale, Arizona.
John McEnroe with Pam Shriver, Cliff Drysdale, Mary Joe Fernandez and Chris Evert
