John Patrick McEnroe Jr. is a retired professional tennis player. The former American World No. 1 has a career spanning from the age of 8. With a net worth of $100 million, McEnroe is one of the richest tennis players in the United States.
He is famous for his on-court technique and unprecedented singles and doubles titles. He also has an on-court temper that often landed him in trouble with game authorities. He has 77 singles titles and 78 doubles. These trophies include 16 Grand Slams, seven singles, and nine men’s doubles titles.
John McEnroe’s Rise to Tennis Fame
Early Life and Introduction to Tennis
John McEnroe is a retired American professional tennis player born on February 16, 1959. He was born in Wiesbaden, West Germany, to John Patrick McEnroe and Kay Tresham. The two were American citizens living in German. His father was a United States Army stationed in Wiesbaden, West Germany.
McEnroe’s father moved to the United States when little John McEnroe was nine months old. The family moved to the Stewart Air Force Base in Newburgh, New York.
After leaving the armed forces, John McEnroe’s father worked as an advertising agent. He worked during the day and attended Fordham Law School during the night. In 1961, McEnroe’s family relocated to Flushing, Queens, and lived there for two years. In 1963, the family moved again to the Douglaston neighborhood of Queens.
John McEnroe has two brothers, Mark McEnroe and Patrick McEnroe. Patrick is also a professional tennis player.
John McEnroe grew up in Douglaston and started playing Tennis at eight. He played at the nearby Douglaston Club. McEnroe joined the Eastern Lawn Tennis Association when at the age of nine. After playing in the regional tournaments, McEnroe joined the Port Washington Tennis Academy. He was 12 then and had just ranked seventh in his age group.
McEnroe graduated from Trinity School in 1977.
Professional Career: Grand Slam Titles and Rivalries
John McEnroe joined the Association of Tennis Professionals tour in 1978. He won five titles and finished the year ranked number four. In 1979, McEnroe bagged ten singles victories and 17 doubles titles. These included the Wimbledon Doubles and the men’s singles US Open title.
McEnroe lost to Björn Borg in the Men’s Singles final at Wimbledon. Two months later, the two competed at the US Open title, and McEnroe won. In 1981, John McEnroe shouted at umpire Edward James, “You cannot be serious,”. The referee had ruled that his serve went out. The outburst left the present crowd in shock.
McEnroe wrote a memoir titled You Cannot be Serious in 2002. The book became a New York Times bestseller. The same year, the Associated Press named John McEnroe Athlete of the Year. This honor followed McEnroe’s victory over his fellow legend, Björn Borg, at the US Open and Wimbledon.
McEnroe was the number one player in 1984. He, however, did not take part in the Wembley Indoor tournament. He was on a three-week suspension due to an angry eruption in a Stockholm tournament.
In 1986, John McEnroe took a voluntary break from the court for six months. When he returned, McEnroe won three ATP tournaments. McEnroe did not win any tournament the following year. He was suspended at the US Open and forced to take another break.
McEnroe won his fifth World Championship Tennis Finals in 1989. John was famous for his on-court angry outbursts. In 1990, he was removed from an Australian Open tournament for cursing at officials. After a few more, John was eventually disqualified from the Australian Open.
John McEnroe announced that he was retiring from the ATP tour in 1992 but remained active until 2006. His final singles competition was in 1994, and his doubles in 2006.
McEnroe’s On-Court Achievements
John McEnroe is popular for many things. He and his rival and fellow GOAT candidate, Bjorn Borg, are nothing short of legends. Their classic Wimbledon finals in 1980 are considered the greatest tennis matches in history. McEnroe saved five-match points before losing 8-6 in the fifth set. The match inspired the 2017 sports film Borg vs McEnroe.
Here is a list of some of John McEnroe’s achievements.
- John won five titles in 1978 alone. That was the first time he won the ATP World Tour Finals.
- He beat Björn Borg in 1980 and 1981, winning the US Open singles championships.
- His last US Open singles victory was against Ivan Lendl in 1984.
- McEnroe took on the greatest tennis players to become World No. 1 singles player on March 3, 1980.
- John McEnroe held onto the ITF World Championship in 1981, 1983, and 1984.
John McEnroe’s Net Worth
Prize Money From Tennis Career
John McEnroe and his major rival, Björn Borg, are considered GOAT candidates. But they are not among the top earners in tennis history. Though he has a massive net worth, his wealth comes from several income streams.
Throughout his career, McEnroe bagged a total of 155 ATP titles. Throughout this time, the GOAT candidate received $12,552,132 in prize money. Considering his playing era, $12 million is a lot of money.
Revenue from Sponsorship Deals and Endorsements
McEnroe has signed endorsement deals with several corporations. Such companies include HEAD, Dunlop, Nike, Gold Coast, Sergio Tacchini, and Penn Solinco. His contract with Dunlop expired with his retirement.
Income from TV Appearances and Broadcasting Career
Another earning stream adding to John McEnroe’s net worth is TV appearances and broadcasting. John McEnroe has participated in several television shows and films. He narrated the 2020 Netflix comedy-drama series, Never Have I Ever. Some of the television shows McEnroe guest starred in include Frasier, 30 Rock, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Saturday Night Live. He has acted alongside Adam Sandler in Mr. Deeds, and You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, among other movies.
He hosted The Chair in 2002 and CNBC McEnroe in 2004. The Chair was a game show that aired on ABC in 2002.
John McEnroe’s Ventures Outside Tennis
Real Estate and Stocks
McEnroe is married to Patty Smyth. The couple owns multiple high-value properties in Malibu. They own a $3.35 million ranch-style home and a $21 million oceanfront home in Paradise Cove. John and Smyth own real estate properties worth around $50 million in Los Angeles. They bought a two-acre estate for $4.2 million in Southampton, New York.
McEnroe, as an Art Collector
McEnroe owns an art gallery in Manhattan. The tennis legend collects contemporary American art from various artists. He is a fan of Ed Ruscha’s works and Jean-Michel Basquiat, among others. McEnroe knows Andy Warhol in person. He even commissioned him to create a portrait of the former tennis star and his ex-wife, Tatum O’Neal.
Philanthropic Endeavors
One of the ways McEnroe spends his net worth is through charity. He runs a philanthropic organization called Johnny Mac Tennis Project. The project changes young lives by removing the barriers to success through Tennis.
This non-profit organization introduces tennis to communities such as East Harlem. As of 2023, the organization has helped almost 8,000 students. It has also spent around $8.5 million on scholarships alone.
How John McEnroe Maintains His Wealth
Financial Management and Investments
John McEnroe is a tennis legend with an estimated net worth of $100 million. This financial success comes from years of professional tennis career and business investments. The tennis legend has business acumen extending beyond sports. He has real estate investments, art, and sports-related ventures. These investments have returned impressive revenues that contribute to McEnroe’s financial success.
How Does John Mcenroe Spend His Net Worth?
As shown above, John and his wife Patty have a taste for high-value properties. He runs a charity organization that helps aspiring people succeed through Tennis. The organization spends millions of dollars on scholarships and community programs.
FAQs
Does McEnroe Still Earn Money from Tennis?
McEnroe does not earn from tennis directly. However, reports show that he earns between $262,206 and $267,260 as a BBC Tennis co-commentator.
What Is McEnroe’s Most Profitable Investment?
McEnroe is a real estate investor with multiple properties in the United States. His real estate empire in Los Angeles is estimated to be worth $50 million.
How Much Does John McEnroe Make Per Year?
John McEnroe is a sports legend and a multi-millionaire with an annual earning of $10 million.
Final Thoughts on the Monetary Legacy of John McEnroe
McEnroe is the only male player that ever held the top spot in singles and doubles tournaments. He is also the only male Tennis player to ever bag over 70 titles in singles and doubles. In his retirement, the sports legend sheds light on the inside of Tennis as a co-commentator. He is the most outspoken commentator and does not hesitate to speak his mind.
