Sports

John McEnroe Named Greatest Tennis Player of Every Surface

Published

2 months ago

June 1, 2026

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Tennis legend John McEnroe once revealed who he considers the greatest player ever on each surface, offering his verdict on the best performers across every type of court.

With the four Grand Slam tournaments contested on three distinct surfaces — grass, clay, and hard courts — it takes an exceptional athlete to achieve the career Grand Slam by capturing all four major titles. Only nine men and 10 women have accomplished that remarkable milestone.

However, every surface presents unique challenges, and while some players thrive in certain conditions, others find them difficult to master. British star Jack Draper, for instance, admitted that grass is his least favourite surface, a claim that seemed justified when he recently suffered a surprising second-round defeat to Marin Cilic at Wimbledon.

John McEnroe’s Picks For Every Tennis Surface

Clay – Rafael Nadal

When discussing the greatest players by surface, McEnroe began with clay, the surface synonymous with Roland Garros. Unsurprisingly, he selected Rafael Nadal, widely regarded as the undisputed King of Clay.

The Spanish icon captured an astonishing 14 French Open titles over a 17-year period. His first triumph came in 2005, and he remained virtually unbeatable in Paris, with his first defeat arriving against Robin Soderling in one of the tournament’s biggest upsets in 2009.

Rafael Nadal Names His Top 10 Male Athletes in History of Sport – Snubs Roger Federer

The Spaniard has named his 10 greatest male athletes of all time, but had no room for his legendary rival Roger Federer.

Appropriately, Nadal received a special tribute at the French Open in recent years, and his footprint has been permanently displayed at Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris.

McEnroe told Inside the NBA when asked who he considered the greatest clay-court player: “Rafael Nadal, on the surface we’re going to see over the next couple of weeks, without a doubt, it’s him on clay at Roland Garros.”

Grass – Roger Federer

In much the same way that Nadal dominated on clay, McEnroe’s choice for the finest grass-court player was Roger Federer.

“We also play on grass for one month a year, which I would give to Roger Federer.”

The Swiss maestro, an eight-time Wimbledon champion and one of Centre Court’s most beloved figures, became famous for his graceful movement and effortless style on grass. McEnroe also acknowledged another grass-court great while discussing the category, adding: “To me, Rod Laver, way back when, was my idol.”

Laver enjoyed tremendous success during the 1960s, collecting 11 Grand Slam singles titles, including four Wimbledon crowns. Nevertheless, Federer’s achievements and sustained excellence on grass placed him at the top of McEnroe’s list.

Hard – Novak Djokovic

Turning to hard courts, the surface used at both the US Open and Australian Open, as well as many tour events throughout the season, McEnroe had no hesitation in naming Novak Djokovic as the greatest ever.

Speaking with Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley during an appearance on their programme, he said: “The best hard-court player of all time would be Novak Djokovic.”

The Serbian superstar owns a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles, with 14 of those coming on the hard courts of Melbourne and New York. Even at 39 years old, Djokovic continues to challenge for major trophies. His versatility across all surfaces and multiple victories at every Grand Slam underline his greatness.

All three selections as the greatest players on their preferred surfaces seem fitting, considering Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic collectively dominated men’s tennis for well over a decade-and-a-half.

Sports

Aston Villa Now Eyeing Wan-Bissaka Deal After Ruggeri Transfer Agreed

Published

22 minutes ago

August 14, 2026

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Aston Villa are set to focus on a move for a new right-back after agreeing a move for Mateo Ruggeri, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka a genuine target.

The Villans have had a busy summer window so far, bringing in Alejandro Garnacho, Johan Manzambi and Joao Gomes to the squad, while they have lost Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne. That saw them move to strengthen in defence with the arrival of Ruggeri from Atletico Madrid, who has undergone a medical.

But the club are now keen to find more depth at full-back with competition for Matty Cash understood to be among their priorities, and the West Ham star has emerged as a serious option.

Wan-Bissaka was relegated with the Hammers last season but enjoyed a decent World Cup with DR Congo, and is now pushing to leave the east London outfit and return to the top flight.

West Ham are open to a sale and value the 28-year-old at around £25m, but Villa would like to lower that fee. However, writing on his X account, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the club are now set to turn their focus to signing a new right-back.

“Aston Villa are set to focus their efforts also on new right-back after Ruggeri deal being announced soon at LB. Aston Villa interest in Aaron Wan-Bissaka, genuine and concrete,” he wrote.

Ezri Konsa has regularly been used as the back-up option at right-back for Villa, but he is the first-choice centre back in the squad, and he is attracting strong interest from Arsenal, with fresh talks held over a potential move to join the Premier League champions, increasing the need for defensive reinforcements at Villa Park.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Statistical Comparison 2025/26 (League Only)
Stat	Wan-Bissaka	Cash
Appearances	25	35
Goals + Assists	2	6
Key Passes Per 90	0.09	0.89
Shots Per 90	0.0	0.89
Tackles Per 90	1.43	1.97
Interceptions Per 90	1.73	0.66
Defensive Contributions Per 90	7.51	5.54

Wan-Bissaka a ‘Ridiculous’ Defender

Wan-Bissaka has been playing at the highest level for a number of years, first for Crystal Palace, and then for Man Utd before making the move to West Ham.

While his qualities on the ball have always been questioned, his defensive ability has never been in doubt, with Tottenham playmaker James Maddison describing him as ‘ridiculously good’.

“AWB is ridiculously good at one-v-one defending,” he said. “Probably the best in the world bar none.

“So many wingers run out of ideas when playing directly against him.”

Sports

Rangers Table Bid for Kevin Kelsy After Driouech Deal Collapses

Published

40 minutes ago

August 14, 2026

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Rangers have tabled a formal bid to sign Portland Timbers star Kevin Kelsy to bolster their forward options.

The Ibrox club have had a terrible start to the season so far, drawing twice and losing twice in their opening four games under new manager Derek McInnes, who is looking to strengthen the squad and win fans over as he looks to compete with Celtic to win the club’s first Scottish Premiership title since 2021.

Rangers have already signed nine new players, while GIVEMESPORT sources understand that a deal has been agreed with AEK Athens for defender James Penrice to become the tenth arrival. But a deal to sign forward Couhaib Driouech has collapsed after some medical issues were flagged in a medical, and now the club have made a new move to sign a different forward instead.

According to a report by Tom Bogert of The Athletic, Rangers have made a formal offer worth £7.4m to sign Kevin Kelsy.

It was reported this week that the Venezuela forward was a target for the Ibrox club after they lost striker Youssef Chermiti for the season due to a serious knee injury suffered in the defeat to Hibernian, which came just days after they rejected a £22m bid for his services.

It’s understood that the MLS side are not looking to sell the 22-year-old forward, and the player himself is not pushing to make the switch to Glasgow at this stage either. Rangers face competition for his signature, with several other clubs tracking him.

Kelsy has enjoyed a strong season in the MLS so far this campaign, netting nine goals and registering two assists in just 994 minutes. Standing at 6ft 4, Rangers feel his profile would fit perfectly into their squad and can cover Chermiti’s injury, which has made him a prime target.

GIVEMEPORT sources understand that Sheffield United striker Ryan One was a target, but talks have now halted after a loan-to-buy bid was rejected, while there have also been reports of interest in former striker Rory Wilson.

Kevin Kelsy Portland Timbers Stats
Appearances	12(5)
Minutes	994
Goals	9
Assists	2
Shots (per 90)	2.2
Key Passes (per 90)	0.9
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored – correct as of 14/08/2026

Phil Neville Thinks Kelsy is ‘One of the Best’

Kelsy made the move to Portland Timbers following short spells at Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Cincinnati, and upon his arrival at the club in 2024, then-manager Phil Neville shared his evaluation of the player, which included some startling praise.

“Kevin is a player we’ve been watching for months. He’s one of the best young strikers in the world .”

“We’re excited to have him. He has the pace, strength, creativity, and he scores goals. His potential fits in perfectly with the young group we have in Portland.”

Sports

Leeds Agree Personal Terms to Sign Gladbach Star Nico Elvedi

Published

58 minutes ago

August 14, 2026

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Leeds United have reportedly agreed personal terms with Borussia Monchengladbach defender Nico Elvedi ahead of a move to Elland Road.

The Whites have had a strong summer transfer window so far as they look to establish themselves as a Premier League outfit, having avoided relegation in their first season back in the top flight last season, finishing 14th.

Daniel Farke has already added to his squad by bringing in Harry Wilson from Fulham on a free transfer, Tarik Muharemovic from Sassuolo for £34m, and goalkeeper James Trafford for a club-record £40m from Man City, but the club are still keen to make more additions, and a deal to strengthen the defence further is now edging closer.

According to a post on X by Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, Leeds have reached a full agreement with Gladbach star Elvedi over a contract until 2029 to take him to Elland Road.

The centre-back is understood to be ‘very open’ to a move to the Premier League before the September 1st deadline, and the Bundesliga outfit are open to a sale under the right conditions.

Leeds are preparing to make a formal offer to the club and are expected to make it soon, which could spark an agreement in the coming weeks.

The 29-year-old was a regular for Switzerland at the World Cup this summer, starting all six of their games, and enjoyed a strong season in Germany last season, making 33 appearances as they finished 12th in the division.

After losing Pascal Struijk to Brighton, and moving to a back-three system last season which helped them stay in the Premier League, Farke has made defensive reinforcements a priority, and he his now edging towards bringing in a player he knows very well.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!