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14 best players to never win the French Open

By Nathaniel Reeves

25 May 1999: Pete Sampras of the USA in action during Round One of the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France. Sampras won in 5 sets. \ Mandatory Credit: Clive Brunskill /Allsport
25 May 1999: Pete Sampras of the USA in action during Round One of the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France. Sampras won in 5 sets. \ Mandatory Credit: Clive Brunskill /Allsport /
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 04: John McEnroe of the United States returns a shot with teammate James Blake against Jim Courier of the United States and Mats Wilander of Sweden during their exhibition doubles match on Day Eleven of the 2014 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 3, 2014 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 04: John McEnroe of the United States returns a shot with teammate James Blake against Jim Courier of the United States and Mats Wilander of Sweden during their exhibition doubles match on Day Eleven of the 2014 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 3, 2014 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

5. John McEnroe 

With his great skill on the volley, McEnroe was just about unstoppable at Wimbledon and the US Open during the early 1980s. Like so many others, clay was a different story, and the French Open is one of the few pieces missing from a Hall of Fame career.

While we often think of McEnroe for his outbursts at officials and legendary match in the 1980 Wimbledon final against Borg, he is undoubtedly one of the greatest male singles players of all time. McEnroe won seven career Grand Slam titles between the US Open and Wimbledon, all of which came between 1979 and 1984.

In 1984, McEnroe turned in what is often considered the greatest season in the history of the Open Era, as he compiled an 82-3 record. However, McEnroe would skip much of the clay court season, until the French Open singles tournament.

McEnroe carried a 42-match winning streak into the 1984 final against Ivan Lendl. In one of the most infamous matches ever, McEnroe blew a two-set lead against Lendl while letting his temper get the best of him to end his incredible streak. McEnroe made it to the semifinals in 1985, his best performance at Roland Garros for the remainder of his career.

While McEnroe was also an acclaimed doubles player with nine Grand Slam titles, he was unable to win a French Open championship, and never made it past the quarterfinals at Roland Garros.

Next: 4. Venus Williams

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