John McEnroe of the U.S. reacts after winning a point during his BNP Paribas Showdown friendly tennis match against compatriot Ivan Lendl in Hong Kong March 4, 2013. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
John McEnroe of the U.S. reacts after winning a point during his BNP Paribas Showdown friendly tennis match against compatriot Ivan Lendl in Hong Kong March 4, 2013. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu REUTERS

In his prime, John McEnroe was one of the most successful tennis players there was. The former World No. 1 believes he could beat Roger Federer in a game of tennis.

According to Tennis World USA, McEnroe is currently in Italy to play in a couple of exhibition matches in Genoa and Milan. McEnroe is joined by other tennis greats including Michael Chang, Ivan Lendl, and Goran Ivanisevic in the said exhibition tournament. In an interview with RAI, an Italian news outlet, McEnroe was asked by tennis journalist Gianni Clerici who he thinks will win if he will play against Roger Federer using a wooden tennis racket.

"Of course, it would be very challenging and fascinating to play against the likes of Federer, Nadal, or Djokovic," McEnroe initially said. "But, I think that with a wooden racket, I would beat Federer 6-3, 6-3."

McEnroe was the last player to win a Grand Slam tournament with a wooden racket, The Telegraph reported. He defeated Bjorn Borg, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-3, in the 1981 US Open to win his sixth Grand Slam title.

Recently, McEnroe has been going back to the tennis court for fun. Prior the exhibition match in Italy, McEnroe and Lendl were in Bratislava, Slovakia for another game of tennis. They were joined by other retired players, Mansour Bahrami and Paul McNamara.

McEnroe has had success not only in Singles but also in Doubles events. He won his first Grand Slam in men's singles at the 1979 US Open. He was able to defend his US Open title for three consecutive years until 1981. He won his fourth U.S. Open title in 1984. McEnroe was also a three-time Wimbledon Champion, winning the tournament in 1981, 1983, and 1984.

In Doubles events, McEnroe has collected five Grand Slam trophies at Wimbledon and four at the US Open. He has won one Grand Slam title in mixed doubles at the 1977 French Open. He has won 77 career titles before he officially retired from tour in 1992. He was ranked 20th overall in Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) singles ranking when he retired.

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