Beyond the tennis courts, John McEnroe shares a heartwarming relationship with his children, including daughter Emily, from his first marriage to Tatum O’Neal. Despite the divorce in 1994, John remains supportive, even if he’s rarely seen with them publicly. His affection for his children is evident in his words and actions. Even in his autobiography, But Seriously, he wrote, “The good part of having six kids is, there’s always one who wants to hug you and say, ‘Daddy, I love you.’” This softer side of McEnroe contrasts with his fiery on-court persona, showcasing a loving father who prioritizes family. This time is no exception!
John has a total of five biological children. From his first marriage to O’Neal, he has three children: Kevin, Sean, and Emily. With his second wife, Patty Smyth, he has two daughters: Anna and Ava. Additionally, he is also a stepfather to Patty Smyth’s daughter Ruby from a previous relationship, making him a parent to six children in total! So, even when he’s not commentating for tennis, he’s certainly got his hands full keeping up with all their lives.
Excitingly, his eldest daughter, Emily McEnroe, who took after her mother to become an actress and even appeared on the big screen for the movie Futru Days in 2024 alongside Roanna Arquette and Tania Raymonde, posted a fun update to her Instagram account. Sharing a picture showing off the sparkling ring on her finger with the caption: “forever & a day @timothyjmass ” Yes, you guessed it right! She just got engaged to her boyfriend, Timothy, with a heartwarming photo montage including John in one of the pictures! Standing alongside Emily and Timothy, who ironically wore a t-shirt reading ‘McEnroe said it better’ as the three were all smiles.
This comes shortly after his other daughter, Anna, tied the knot with her partner Brian Kerrigan on October 5, 2024. The wedding was a joyous occasion, with John in attendance. He had stepped down as captain of Team World at the Laver Cup just days before. In a heartfelt moment, John promised Anna that he would “win” at her wedding, contrasting the loss he experienced at the Laver Cup. Anna’s sister Emily shared heartfelt photos and messages on social media, capturing the love and unity of the McEnroe family on this special day.
Speaking of wedding bells, Emily isn’t the only McEnroe who is tying the knot! Her brother Kevin is getting married this year! Tatum spoke of it during an interview with Variety Magazine this month, excited to attend the ceremony in June. However, this also marks the first time that John and Tatum will be in close quarters after splitting three decades ago. While many expected the atmosphere to be awkward considering their dramatic divorce, Tatum stated that “The anger is gone.”
The McEnroe family is set for a double celebration. This means we can expect not one, but two family reunions soon! The last time John was spotted with Emily was at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, where he jammed on his electric guitar alongside his band. It was a moment that highlighted the special bond between them, especially when they shared the stage together—a truly unforgettable moment in his musical journey.
Emily encountered an awkward moment during the 2024 Indian Wells Open!
Last year, John McEnroe and his daughter Emily stole the show at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden with a musical performance. She took to Instagram to share snippets of their gig, where she sang lead vocals while her dad jammed on the guitar. In one hilarious moment, a fan asked for her autograph, only to jokingly admit they’d rather have John’s signature. Emily humorously recounted this on Instagram, saying, “Thank you to the woman who asked for my autograph I said ‘are you sure?’ she said ‘well, I’d rather have your dad’s.’”
It’s not the first time Emily has faced scrutiny because of her parents’ status. As the daughter of the seven-time Grand Slam champion and Academy Award-winning actress, Emily often faces accusations of nepotism. However, she’s quick to set the record straight. In a candid Instagram story last year, she addressed the topic, saying, “Let’s talk about the obvious. There’s an issue with nepotism. Oh, everything was handed to you on a silver platter, on a gold platter. Oh! Well, so far, basically, no, it hasn’t, okay? It’s like I’m a famous person without the perks. I’m like a famous person who can’t get the dinner reservation. What the hell is that about? I just want to work.” Over time, Emily has carved her own path in Hollywood, making her acting debut in Futra Days. She also worked as Scarlett Johansson’s voice double for Ghost in the Shell.
Coming to the present, we might not see another father-daughter performance at the Indian Wells Open this year. However, there’s still plenty to look forward to for the family. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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