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John McEnroe’s Take on Modern Air Travel and His Latest Ventures

Tennis icon John McEnroe has candidly expressed his disdain for the hassle of contemporary air travel. The esteemed athlete, who boasts an impressive collection of 77 singles titles, noted that the once enjoyable experience of flying has transformed into a stressful ordeal, akin to a factory-like environment. With increasing airport security lines and delays in baggage claim, McEnroe’s frustration is palpable. Upon reflecting on this, he humorously remarked, “Where do I start?” when asked about his travel annoyances.

During a recent interview with Travel + Leisure while attending the Baha Mar Tennis Cup in the Bahamas, McEnroe lamented about the changes in air travel over the years. He reminisced about a time when flying first class was a significant treat, describing it as, “my God, this is amazing.” In contrast, he highlighted how today’s flying experience feels crowded and impersonal, stating, “Now it’s like, you just throw them all in.”

Q&A with John McEnroe

What’s your favorite open you ever played in?
The U.S. Open.

What is your favorite match you ever played?
Björn Borg, 1980 Wimbledon final.

Which is your favorite city to broadcast from?
I would say New York because I live there. I get to go home to my bed.

What is your favorite tennis movie?
I’m still waiting for that one.

What is your go-to plane snack?
Pretzels or ice cream sundae — just some chocolate syrup and the ice cream’s not melted.

McEnroe revealed that he flies commercially roughly 95 percent of the time, emphasizing the necessity of arriving at the airport well in advance of his flights. He spoke of a bygone era when he could arrive just moments before boarding, even recalling a memorable flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles shortly after calling the Australian Open final, where he made it to the gate a mere five minutes before departure. “That’s when I feel like, okay, I’m pretty lucky,” he noted, attributing his close call to his recognizable name.

These days, he allows at least an hour to an hour and a half before takeoff, recognizing the hurdles present at modern airports. “I can afford to have TSA PreCheck — it’s not helping so much anymore,” he remarked, noting longer lines even in expedited lanes. He shared his attempts to circumvent long waits by packing light, stating, “You don’t want to sit there and wait 45 minutes for your bag. That’s why I try to just not travel with a suitcase if I don’t have to,” but adding, “I always bring my rackets… You can buy more clothes.”

A native New Yorker, McEnroe has effectively transitioned from his illustrious tennis career to a prominent broadcasting role, providing commentary at major tournaments. He recently launched the John McEnroe Tennis Academy in New York and has opened a new facility, the John McEnroe Tennis Center at Baha Mar, featuring eight pristine courts amid a picturesque tropical setting.

In discussing his new tennis center, McEnroe acknowledged the complexities involved in such a venture. He shared a business model that allows wealthier individuals to help support programs for those with fewer resources, expressing hope to shine a light on global issues related to access and equity in sports.

Despite his apprehensions about pickleball, which the Baha Mar center also caters to with six dedicated courts, McEnroe humorously admitted he finds it less fulfilling than tennis. “I’m not a huge fan of pickleball, but my friends like to play with me,” he stated, recognizing the sport’s popularity even jokingly adding, “Now doctors, of course, love it. Everyone’s getting hurt… The American Medical Association loves pickleball.”

With an extensive history of participating in various sports and events worldwide, McEnroe’s top picks remain the U.S. Open and Wimbledon. He has also embraced golf recently, recounting an exhilarating experience playing at Augusta, which he fondly described as “the Wimbledon of golf,” asserting that nothing could match the thrill of that occasion.

These days, his ideal getaway combines playing golf, accessing quality gym or tennis facilities, and enjoying beach time. “I love the beach,” he affirmed. “There’s nothing like salt water.”

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