21 Jun 2011

McEnroe sick of Nadal's modesty

7:38 am on 21 June 2011

The American tennis great John McEnroe has pleaded with world number one Rafael Nadal to drop his modesty and admit that he may just be the greatest player of all time.

Nadal began the defence of his Wimbledon title overnight with a three sets demolition of American Michael Russel, just two weeks after capturing a record-equalling sixth French Open crown which took his grand slam tally to 10, just six behind Roger Federer's all-time mark.

But the Spaniard has constantly played down his chances of catching his great Swiss rival despite being almost five years younger, a stance that is beginning to irritate former Wimbledon champion McEnroe.

The fiery former star says he's getting a little bit tired of Nadal continuing to downplay his chances adding there is a strong argument for him not only being the best player at the moment, but the greatest of all time.

McEnroe says Nadal has won the Davis Cup and an Olympic singles gold medal, titles the Swiss ace Federer hasn't.