"Felt like it was a long time coming" - McEnroe on becoming world no. 1

John McEnroe was one of the best players of his era and he managed to climb to the highest rank in the ATP Rankings in 1980.

Now 63-year-old American won seven singles Grand Slam titles in his career and kept more than 80% win rate throughout his career. In 1980, he reached the world no. 1 spot for the first time in his career, not knowing that he will later become the player who held the spot a record 14 times. McEnroe reached the no. 1 spot for one last time in 1985 and he spoke about it in a recent interview.

"You never know (being the best) when you're a kid," he said speaking on the ATP Tennis Radio Podcast. "You know, I was the best junior in the world but everything is unpredictable. I mean, I had high hopes but I don't think anyone assumes you're gonna be No. 1 in the world."

"You hear a few murmurs from people that you have the ability to do it. I got some positive feedback but it's a long way to go and prove it. So, it happened quicker than I would have thought in a way, but it felt like it was a long time coming by that time."