Nike Attack

Attack

Throughout the late-70s and early 80s, John McEnroe established himself as one of the greatest tennis players in the world. Known for his combative attitude and audacious shot-making abilities, the American star required supportive footwear for his dynamic style of play, so when Nike crafted his signature Mac Attack tennis shoe, they focused on performance. Four decades later, this sporting icon returned as the retro Nike Attack.

The Attack is a faithful recreation of the McEnroe-inspired original, with a base layer of breathable mesh overlaid by supple yet durable leather panelling. Generous padding fills the nylon tongue and the raised collar, whose ankle-supporting mid-cut design was quite groundbreaking for a tennis shoe in 1984. Dual heel overlays bolster the back of the foot, combining with the traditional lacing to deliver firm lockdown that facilitates confident movement.

The Nike Attack’s durable cupsole incorporates soft foam cushioning for classic comfort, while its rubber outsole features a variety of grippy tread patterns. Rows of alternating square and circular pads cover most of its surface, with three flex grooves and a smooth pivot-circle enhancing agility in the forefoot, a latticework section through the midfoot, a dappled area at the heel and star-shaped nodes around the edge for comprehensive traction.

With its timeless look, the 2024 Nike Attack emulates the classy court style of the 1984 version. Vintage elements such as the bold sidewall Swooshes and checkered Nike-branded tongue patch, the row of five perforations punctuating the lateral overlay and the capitalised Nike lettering high up on the heel all come together to produce a sneaker with powerful retro appeal.

The Attack’s comeback was foreshadowed by its appearance on the feet of popular Nike collaborator Travis Scott and basketball legend LeBron James. Then, in April 2023, McEnroe himself turned up to the celebrity Pickleball Slam in a modern recreation of the OG Light Smoke Grey colourway. While playing fellow veteran Andre Agassi, he demonstrated the Attack’s old-school performance capabilities and throwback court style, entertaining the crowd with his trademark hotheaded outbursts. 

The Nike Attack’s release campaign brought together McEnroe and Travis Scott in a suave tennis court photoshoot of the duo wearing the stylish Light Smoke Grey launch edition. Scott created his own take on this dapper sneaker, adding his signature reversed Swoosh and Cactus Jack branding, the two versions coming out within days of one another in winter 2023. This partnership gave the Attack a strong start, and other collaborations followed, including a distinctive collection with lifestyle boutique Social Status. Four compelling colourways with unique tearaway materials arrived over a period of months, each connected to a short movie telling the story of a young man trying to make his way in the world.

In 1984, the rebellious Mac Attack reflected McEnroe’s irrepressible on-court persona. The modern Nike Attack replicates that captivating charisma and style with a classic vintage look and a high-quality build that still performs at the top level.