"Tennis players shouldn’t get married, it hurts your game" - When John McEnroe's wife Patty Smyth commented on relationship with American legend

John McEnroe's wife, famed American singer-songwriter Patty Smyth, once shared her perspective on tennis players marrying while still competing professionally. She is the seven-time Grand Slam champion's second wife, following his first marriage to Academy Award-winning actress Tatum O'Neal.

McEnroe married O'Neal in 1986 in what was considered a high-profile marriage at the time. The couple had three children together: Kevin, Sean, and Emily.

However, their marriage faced difficulties due to personal struggles, including issues with substance abuse. The couple divorced in 1994 after a contentious split, with both sides experiencing legal battles over child custody. McEnroe was eventually granted full custody of their children.

The tennis legend then tied the knot with Smyth in 1997 and they have two daughters: Anna and Ava. The couple has been together for 27 years and is known for maintaining a relatively private and stable family life despite both being in the public eye.

In a 2008 interview with The New York Times, Patty Smyth opened up about her marriage to John McEnroe, saying:

"Tennis players shouldn’t get married. It hurts your game. When you’re done you can get married. The thing with John, the world opened up to him from tennis."

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John McEnroe on his marriage with Patty Smyth: "She let me be me...that’s the key to success"

In a July 2022 interview with 'The Sun Showbiz,' John McEnroe opened up about his marriage to Patty Smyth.

The American expressed gratitude for his wife, saying that she allowed him to "flourish" and be himself, something he believes isn't common in all relationships. He credited this understanding and support as a key factor in the success of their long-lasting marriage.

"I ended up meeting my wife patty, now my present wife, and she did something that I think was all you could ask of a partner is allowing that person to flourish and be the person he wants to be like be himself," McEnroe said.

"She let me be me and I think it doesn’t happen that often in a relationship for whatever reasons. But that’s the key to success in a way," he added.

After retiring from professional tennis in 1992, McEnroe has remained closely connected to the sport. He has taken on prominent commentary roles, providing expert analysis at major events, and continues to participate in exhibition matches from time to time.