“John McEnroe” | SmartLess

Intro

In this episode of the SmartLess podcast, the hosts have a lively conversation with tennis legend John McEnroe. They discuss everything from parenting anecdotes to the future of tennis, and McEnroe’s experiences as a musician and philanthropist. Join the hosts as they delve into McEnroe’s fascinating life both on and off the court.

Main Takeaways

Parenting and Anecdotes

• Jason shares a story about his son’s encounter with an alien in their home.
• The hosts discuss their children’s friends and names.
• They joke about losing questions for a guest and one host’s frequent reboots.

John McEnroe’s Accomplishments

• McEnroe is praised for his skills in tennis, guitar, and charisma.
• He compliments one host’s performance in a play and his piano skills.
• McEnroe encourages kids to stick with playing the piano because it can be beneficial for their future.

McEnroe’s Tennis Academy and Philanthropy

• McEnroe started a tennis academy 12 years ago and has a charity arm called the Johnny Mac Tennis Project, aiming to get more kids to play tennis.
• The Johnny Mac Tennis Project aims to make tennis more accessible to kids, and donations can be made on their website.
• They hold an annual comedy night as a fundraiser.
• The tennis academy is for-profit but offers scholarships and programs for underprivileged kids.

The Evolution of Tennis

• Players are peaking later than ever before in tennis.
• The size and weight of rackets have changed, allowing kids to hit the ball harder.
• Wooden rackets cannot compete with modern rackets.
• Players are getting taller and more athletic, making it harder to get close to the net and serve-and-volley.

McEnroe’s Life and Perspectives

• McEnroe reflects on his career, his transition from competitive tennis, and finding fulfillment in other areas.
• He talks about the importance of embracing losing as a way to learn and improve, both on and off the tennis court.
• McEnroe appreciates life and gives back through his academy and commentary work.
• He admires players like Federer who seem happy to be on the court.

Summary

Parenting Anecdotes and McEnroe’s Accomplishments

The hosts kick off the episode with entertaining parenting anecdotes, including Jason’s son’s encounter with an alien. They then shift the focus to John McEnroe, praising his skills in tennis, guitar, and charisma. McEnroe reciprocates the compliments, highlighting one host’s performance in a play and piano skills. He encourages kids to pursue playing the piano for its future benefits.

McEnroe’s Tennis Academy and Philanthropy

McEnroe shares his journey of starting a tennis academy and establishing the Johnny Mac Tennis Project, which aims to make tennis more accessible to kids. The hosts discuss the annual comedy night fundraiser and the academy’s efforts to offer scholarships and programs for underprivileged children. They emphasize the importance of giving back and making the sport inclusive.

The Evolution of Tennis and McEnroe’s Perspectives

The conversation shifts to the evolution of tennis, with players peaking later and the impact of modern rackets. McEnroe shares insights on the challenges players face due to increased athleticism and height. He also opens up about his transition from competitive tennis, embracing losing as a learning opportunity, and finding fulfillment in other aspects of life. McEnroe’s admiration for players like Federer, who exude joy on the court, is evident.

Conclusion

This episode of SmartLess offers a captivating conversation with John McEnroe, covering various topics ranging from parenting anecdotes to the future of tennis. McEnroe’s unique perspective as a tennis legend, musician, and philanthropist adds depth to the discussion. Listeners gain insights into McEnroe’s life both on and off the court, leaving them inspired and entertained.