John McEnroe Split From His First Wife & Married a Famous Rock Singer

McEnroe dominated in the late 1970s and 1980s, winning seven Grand Slam Singles titles throughout his esteemed tennis career. Of course, he may be better known for his outbursts and hot-headed demeanor before transitioning to the broadcast booth. While his play on the court made him a tennis legend, McEnroe’s romantic life was a bit harder to manage. He eventually got a divorce from his first wife before finding love again with rock star Patty Smyth.

John McEnroe’s First Wife Tatum O’Neal

John Patrick McEnroe was first married to ex-wife Tatum O’Neal, an Academy Award winner and daughter of actor Ryan O’Neal. She was actually the youngest person to ever win the award: she won it at 10 for her role as Addie Loggins in “Paper Moon” in 1973.

The American tennis player and Oscar-winning actress were married in 1986 before parting ways in 1992. They had three children together: sons Kevin and Sean, and daughter Emily.

Their divorce in 1994 was a nasty one. There were accusations of drug abuse from both sides, and O’Neal lost custody of the kids.

“I would lock myself in my room because it was hard to be around her not acting like herself,” Kevin O’Neal told People Magazine of his mother’s drug abuse. Kevin himself ran into his own drug abuse troubles later in life.

John McEnroe’s Wife Patty Smyth

McEnroe then met Patty Smyth for the first time at a Christmas party in 1993, and they immediately hit it off, according to People Magazine.

Smyth, a singer-songwriter, was a star in her own right as a member of the rock band Scandal. The pair got married in 1997 and have two children, daughters Ava and Anna.

Patty also has a daughter, Ruby, from a previous marriage.