“Dad, I don’t really f**** want to do it” – John McEnroe’s brother reveals ‘intense’ family dynamic
Patrick McEnroe recently opened up about his elder brother John McEnroe’s fiery temper, while revealing a moment from their family life. He highlighted how John’s dramatic outbursts became a topic of discussion at family dinners.
Patrick and John were born to John Patrick McEnroe Sr. and Katherine McEnroe in 1966 and 1959, respectively. John and Patrick were raised in a strict household in Douglaston, Queens, New York. John began playing tennis at the Douglaston Club when he was eight. Being seven years younger than him, Patrick followed his brother, but carved out his own successful path.
In an interview with The New York Post, Patrick opened up about how tennis was woven into his family while revealing a conversation about John’s passionate outbursts at the dinner table. Patrick remembered his father starting to yell at John, asking why he got so angry on the court, and the former World No. 1 responding by pointing out his father’s temper, suggesting he might have picked it up from him.
“I remember we’d have like family dinners when we’d come back. My dad was a pretty intense — so was my mom, my mom was sort of the h*rdass of the family. My dad would be like, ‘John, why do you do this? You don’t need to do this.’ And he’d be like, ‘Dad, I don’t really f**** want to do it.’ And inevitably my dad would start yelling. And John was like: “Well, maybe this is why!’”
John and Patrick’s father served in the United States Air Force and later became a partner at the prestigious Manhattan law firm Paul, Weiss. He also served as John’s manager. Their mother was a surgical nurse at Lenox Hill Hospital and Deepdale General Hospital.
John McEnroe to partner with Roger Federer for the upcoming US Open championships
John McEnroe has won seven Grand Slam singles titles, including four US Open titles and three Wimbledon titles. He has clinched nine Grand Slam doubles titles, including five Wimbledon and four US Open. The former American tennis player will make a return to the court at the upcoming US Open championships.
McEnroe will make an appearance for a special one-night exhibition match during Fan Week. He will partner with Roger Federer in the doubles event during this year’s Fan Week at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The exhibition will be held on August 25, 2026. The main draw at the 2026 US Open will kick off on Sunday, August 30.
