John McEnroe, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, played professionally for 12 years and won an impressive 77 titles. After retiring, he stayed connected to tennis first as a commentator and then as the captain of Team World in the Laver Cup, a role he recently concluded. However, few know that his journey through the sport highlights not only his intense dislike for losing but also his willingness to embrace new challenges.

On the ‘Served’ podcast with Andy Roddick, McEnroe candidly discussed his post-tennis life. Roddick shared how retirement rekindled his love for tennis through commentary, but McEnroe’s experience was different. He retired in 1992 after struggling to win titles and told his first wife that if he didn’t succeed, he’d pursue acting. However, it took encouragement from his second wife, Patty Smyth, to motivate him to keep chasing tennis.

When faced with a winless streak since his last win at the 1991 Chicago tournament, McEnroe even suggested forming a band with Smyth. He recalled, “So I had this tremendous idea that we should join a band together. Because I was all gung-ho and I’m going to bring it. And then she looked at me and she said, ‘You know, we should play Wimbledon.’ So I said, ‘You don’t even play tennis’ and she goes, ‘Exactly, stick to your day job.’”

In 1990, McEnroe made headlines as the first player ejected from a Grand Slam event in nearly 30 years at the Australian Open. After retiring in 1992, he transitioned to broadcasting and formed the Johnny Smyth Band. Despite stepping away from professional play, McEnroe missed tennis. He remarked on the podcast, “I got lucky; I got a second chance with my second wife, Patty Smyth. And she was like, ‘You know if you’re gonna do this, you gotta do this right.” He returned to competitive play in 1999 with Steffi Graf in mixed doubles and later won an ATP doubles tournament in 2006.

Now retired from his role as Team World captain at the Laver Cup, McEnroe’s legacy includes four US Open titles and three Wimbledon championships. He continues to share his insights on current players while also engaging with the music industry. Even after his band dissolved in 1997, he impresses others with his musical skills today.

Bouchard praises the tennis legend’s musical talent

John McEnroe, the American tennis legend, never fails to light up the stage, whether on or off the court. Recently, his longtime rival and close friend Boris Becker enjoyed McEnroe’s musical concert in the Bahamas, sharing moments on Instagram where McEnroe rocked out on his electric guitar. Tennis star Eugenie Bouchard also expressed her admiration for McEnroe’s musical talent, posting clips from the concert on her IG stories with an enthusiastic caption: “Johnny Mac killin it.”

In November, Baha Mar, the Caribbean’s premier luxury resort, announced a partnership with McEnroe. Graeme Davis, president of Baha Mar, praised him as an icon with an extraordinary legacy in tennis. McEnroe expressed his excitement about this collaboration, stating, “I’m extremely excited to launch this groundbreaking partnership agreement with Baha Mar. This incredible destination is the perfect stage to share my passion and love for the game.”

Alongside music, he has also embraced pickleball, joining legends like Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi on the court. They play in Pickleball tournaments occasionally and even post challenging videos to each other on social media. It seems like McEnroe is a jack of all trades. What do you think?