German-American tennis champ who first made international headlines in 1977-1978 as the youngest player to reach the men’s semi-finals at Wimbledon in 100 years. By June 1979, he had made over $800,000 in winnings and was ranked third in the world. As a natural on-the-court athlete who began playing in school tennis tournaments as young at the age of eight, he is aggressive, volatile and noted for bad temper and bad manners. Off the court, he is noted for being inward, shy and a conservative gentleman.
In addition to being a tennis player, he is also a musician. He founded his own rock and roll band, the “Johnny Smyth Band” in 1996. In the band, McEnroe creates an edgy stage presence with his guitar and very deep voice. He first began playing the guitar in his teens, but has developed his skills in the past two or three years; he now belts out loud and raw.
He married to Tatum O’Neal in August 1986 after their baby was born. Together the couple accumulated three kids and five houses, but were separated in December 1992. He had another baby with his new girlfriend, Patty Smyth of the rock band “Scandal,” in February 1996 and they married in March 1997.
In 2002, his autobiography was released, “You Cannot be Serious.”
Born 8 days after Heinz Günthardt, Swiss tennis player.
McEnroe and Tatum O’Neal have three children, Kevin, Sean and Emily. After their divorce, they were originally awarded joint custody of the children, but in 1998 McEnroe was awarded sole custody due to O’Neal’s drug problems. McEnroe and Patty Smyth have two daughters, Anna and Ava, along with Smyth’s daughter Ruby.
Link to Wikipedia biography