John McEnroe Net Worth

What is John McEnroe's Net Worth and Salary?

John McEnroe is a former American World No. 1 professional tennis player who has a net worth of $100 million.

John McEnroe is widely regarded as one of the most talented and fiery tennis players in history. Rising to prominence in the late 1970s, he became known not only for his exceptional shot-making and volleying skills but also for his combative on-court demeanor and infamous temper. McEnroe turned professional in 1978 and quickly made an impact, reaching the Wimbledon semifinals that same year as a qualifier. He would go on to win seven Grand Slam singles titles—three at Wimbledon (1981, 1983, 1984) and four at the US Open (1979, 1980, 1981, 1984).

At his peak in 1984, McEnroe dominated the sport, compiling an 82-3 singles record—a winning percentage that still ranks among the best in the Open Era. In addition to his singles success, he was a masterful doubles player, winning nine Grand Slam men's doubles titles and one mixed doubles title. He spent a total of 170 weeks as the world No. 1 in singles and a record 257 weeks as No. 1 in doubles.

Beyond his titles, McEnroe's intense rivalries with Björn Borg, Jimmy Connors, and Ivan Lendl defined an era of tennis and captivated fans worldwide. His aggressive serve-and-volley game and signature left-handed finesse made him a standout in a golden age of men's tennis.

Following his retirement from full-time play in the early 1990s, McEnroe transitioned into a successful broadcasting career, becoming a familiar voice at Grand Slam events. He has also remained active in senior and exhibition events, and his legacy as both a tennis icon and a pop culture figure continues to endure. His blend of genius and volatility left a lasting imprint on the game.

Early Life

John Patrick McEnroe, Jr, was born on February 16, 1959, in Wiesbaden, West Germany. His parents, John and Kay, were both American, and they were living in Germany while his father was stationed there for his job with the U.S. Air Force. When McEnroe was a baby, the family moved to Newburgh, New York's Stewart Air Force Base, and they relocated to Flushing, Queens, in 1961 and Douglaston in 1963. John's father later left the Air Force and worked as an advertising agent during the day and studied at Fordham Law School at night. John's brothers Mark and Patrick were born in 1964 and 1966, respectively, and Patrick McEnroe also grew up to be a professional tennis player. McEnroe began playing tennis at the age of 8, and the following year, he enrolled in the Eastern Lawn Tennis Association and was soon competing in regional tournaments. Ranked #7 in his age group at 12 years old, he joined the Port Washington Tennis Academy. John graduated from NYC's Trinity School in 1977.

Early Tennis Career

John McEnroe emerged as one of the most gifted American tennis players of his generation while still a teenager. He grew up playing in New York and developed a left-handed serve-and-volley game built around touch, timing, improvisation, and extraordinary hand-eye coordination. Unlike many players who relied on overwhelming power, McEnroe won with angles, reflexes, anticipation, and an ability to make difficult shots look casual.

His national breakthrough came in 1977, when he reached the Wimbledon semifinals as an 18-year-old amateur qualifier. That run immediately marked him as one of the sport's brightest young talents. McEnroe then attended Stanford University, where he won the NCAA singles title and helped Stanford capture the team championship. After one year of college tennis, he turned professional and quickly became a major force on the men's tour.

Grand Slam Breakthrough

McEnroe won his first Grand Slam singles title at the 1979 US Open, defeating Vitas Gerulaitis in the final. The victory made him the youngest men's singles champion in US Open history at the time and confirmed that he was more than a promising young player. He was already one of the best in the world.

He defended his US Open title in 1980 in one of the most memorable tournaments of his career. That year, McEnroe defeated Jimmy Connors in the semifinals and Björn Borg in a five-set final, avenging his famous Wimbledon loss to Borg earlier that summer. He won the US Open again in 1981, giving him three straight titles in New York and establishing the event as one of his greatest stages.

Rivalries with Borg, Connors, and Lendl

McEnroe's career was defined by fierce rivalries. His rivalry with Björn Borg produced some of the most iconic tennis of the early 1980s. Their 1980 Wimbledon final is considered one of the greatest matches in history, especially because of the fourth-set tiebreak that McEnroe won before Borg captured the match in five sets. The following year, McEnroe defeated Borg in the Wimbledon final and again in the US Open final, signaling a shift in power at the top of the men's game.

McEnroe also had a long and combustible rivalry with Jimmy Connors. Both men were intense, emotional, and unapologetically competitive, and their matches often felt like personality clashes as much as tennis contests. Later, Ivan Lendl became McEnroe's most important rival. Lendl's baseline power and physical discipline contrasted sharply with McEnroe's net-rushing creativity, and their rivalry helped define the transition from the serve-and-volley era toward the more physical modern game.

Wimbledon and US Open Dominance

McEnroe won seven Grand Slam singles titles: four at the US Open and three at Wimbledon. He won Wimbledon in 1981, 1983, and 1984, and he won the US Open in 1979, 1980, 1981, and 1984. His game was especially suited to fast courts, where his left-handed serve, sharp volleys, and instinctive movement allowed him to control points from the net.

His 1984 season is widely regarded as one of the greatest in men's tennis history. McEnroe went 82-3, won Wimbledon and the US Open, and finished the year ranked No. 1. His winning percentage that season remains one of the best ever recorded in the Open Era. At his peak, McEnroe combined artistry and aggression in a way few players could match.

Doubles Success

McEnroe was not only a singles champion. He was also one of the greatest doubles players in tennis history. He won nine Grand Slam men's doubles titles, many of them with Peter Fleming, his longtime partner. The McEnroe-Fleming team became famous for its chemistry, with Fleming once joking that the best doubles team in the world was "John McEnroe and anyone."

McEnroe also won a mixed doubles title at the French Open with Mary Carillo. His doubles success reflected the qualities that made him special as a player: quick hands, court awareness, anticipation, and creativity. Few elite singles players have also been as dominant in doubles as McEnroe.

Temper and Public Image

McEnroe became almost as famous for his temper as for his talent. His arguments with chair umpires, line judges, tournament officials, and crowds made him one of the most controversial athletes of his era. His most famous outburst, "You cannot be serious!," became a permanent part of sports culture.

The same intensity that fueled his greatness also made him polarizing. Some fans saw him as disrespectful and disruptive, while others viewed him as honest, emotional, and compelling. McEnroe helped make tennis more dramatic and television-friendly, even when officials found him difficult to manage. His fiery public image became inseparable from his career.

Later Playing Career

After his extraordinary 1984 season, McEnroe's dominance declined. He took a break from the tour, struggled with motivation, and faced a new generation of powerful baseline players. Although he remained dangerous and continued to win titles, he never regained the same level of sustained control over the sport.

He continued competing through the late 1980s and early 1990s, including strong runs at major tournaments and Davis Cup appearances for the United States. McEnroe officially retired from singles in the early 1990s, leaving behind one of the most decorated and distinctive careers in tennis history.

Davis Cup and Team Competition

McEnroe was a major figure in Davis Cup competition. He represented the United States with intensity and pride, helping the American team win multiple Davis Cup titles. His commitment to team tennis stood out because many top players were selective about Davis Cup participation.

For McEnroe, Davis Cup brought out both his patriotism and his competitive fire. He played singles and doubles, often carrying a heavy workload and thriving in hostile road environments. His Davis Cup record remains one of the strongest by an American player.

(Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)

Television and Film Appearances

McEnroe narrates the 2020 Netflix series "Never Have I Ever," and he has guest-starred on several TV shows, including "Frasier," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "30 Rock," and "Saturday Night Live." He also appeared in the Adam Sandler films "Mr. Deeds," "Anger Management," "You Don't Mess with the Zohan," and "Jack and Jill." John hosted the ABC game show "The Chair" in 2002 and the CNBC talk show "McEnroe" in 2004.

Personal Life

John married actress Tatum O'Neal in 1986, and they had two sons, Kevin and Sean, and a daughter, Emily, before divorcing in 1994. The former couple originally shared joint custody of the children, but McEnroe was awarded sole custody in 1998 due to O'Neal's drug abuse.

John went on to marry singer Patty Smyth in 1997, and they have two daughters together: Anna (born in December 1995) and Ava (born in March 1999).

Awards and Honors

In 1999, McEnroe was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and in 2007, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) presented him with the Philippe Chatrier Award. He was named ITF World Champion in 1981, 1983, and 1984, and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) named him Most Improved Player in 1978 and Player of the Year in 1981, 1983, and 1984. John was named the World Number 1 Male Player of the Year in 1984, and he received the Davis Cup Commitment Award in 2014. He was also nominated for Sports Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sports Personality – Sports Event Analyst in 1999, 2000, and 2002, and in 2018, the Critics' Choice Documentary Awards honored him with the Most Compelling Living Subject of a Documentary award for "L'empire de la perfection" ("In the Realm of Perfection").

Real Estate

John and Patty own several valuable homes in Malibu. In 2013, they bought a ranch-style home for $3.35 million, and in 2015, they paid $21 million for an oceanfront home in Malibu's exclusive Paradise Cove. McEnroe and Smyth own around $50 million worth of real estate in Los Angeles, and John previously owned Johnny Carson's Malibu home on Carbon Beach. In 1999, they spent $4.2 million on a two-acre estate in Southampton, New York, and John has owned a Manhattan art gallery since 1993.

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