Tennis legend John McEnroe is no stranger to negative press, but he'll return to the headlines for much happier reasons when a new documentary about his life and times arrives this month.
'McEnroe'—which is due for a UK cinema release on July 15—tells the tale of its eponymous lead and his rise to become the best tennis player in the world. There was another side to the genius, however, who became infamous for bellowing "you cannot be serious!" at an umpire during Wimbledon in 1981.
Looking back upon a selection of outbursts and tirades from his playing career, the 63-year-old asks: “What are you? A stupid f*****g moron?” McEnroe cultivated a reputation for his explosive on-court persona, but his troubles extended off the court as well.
Having dated Oscar-winning actress Tatum O'Neal since 1984, the pair wed in 1986 and were married for eight years. The pair had three children together—Kevin, Sean and Emily—but drug addiction took its toll prior to their 1994 split.
Confronted with the impact cocaine played in their relationship, McEnroe—who won three Wimbledon titles and four U.S. Opens —conceded the drug "didn't help" matters. O'Neal had a history with drugs and became addicted to heroin after the divorce, though McEnroe is quoted by The Sun admitting: “I have myself to blame for that [the issues related to cocaine].”
Drugs weren't the only obstacle, however, as the 16-time Grand Slam winner (seven singles titles and nine doubles) owned up to cheating on his then-wife. “I don’t think infidelity helps," added McEnroe. "I believe that’s the end of the end.”
What's your favourite John McEnroe moment? Let us know in the comments section.
O'Neal's mother, the late actress Joanna Moore, had her own struggles with substance abuse and was heavily addicted to amphetamines. McEnroe could in many ways empathise considering his father and former agent, John McEnroe Sr., was an alcoholic.
The American fired his namesake as his agent when his career was on a downward slope in 1986, something McEnroe Sr. 'took terribly.' He never managed to get back to the heights that saw him reign as men's world No. 1 for four years, adding: "It was like I had stabbed him [McEnroe Sr.] in the back.”
Despite his failed first marriage, McEnroe has since been tamed by rock star Patty Smyth, who believes her beau's preference for routine is evidence he may have autism. For all his past troubles, however, Smyth insists the BBC commentator is reformed and said: “I married a bad boy who turned out to be a really good man.”
