John McEnroe: How kids tamed the Brat; 1980s tennis ace John McEnroe on how becoming a dad has helped him conquer that famous temper. By Drew MacKenzie.(Features)

From: The Mirror (London, England) | Date: June 23, 2001 | Copyright information

Byline: Drew MacKenzie

Flinging his racket about on court and yelling, "You cannot be serious", at startled umpires when decisions went against him, earned tennis ace John McEnroe the nickname "Superbrat". But these days he is a quieter, gentler version of his former hot-headed self, thanks to the calming influence of his children.

The father of six, who this week returns to Wimbledon as one of the BBC's commentary team, admits that his brood have tamed his wild ways.

"By having kids, I got my humanity back," says John, 42. "I was like some tennis dude, number one in ...

Read all of this article with a FREE trial to HighBeam Research

Related newspaper, magazine, and trade journal articles from HighBeam Research

(Including press releases, facts, information, and biographies)

Patty Smyth Finds Sweet Success in Love
; NEW YORK Patty Smyth was once weird, real weird. She painted...set included songs from the album "Patty Smyth," her first on MCA Records, and from...band Scandal. The first single from "Patty Smyth" was "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough...
ST. JOHN'S SEES SIMILAR CHANGES AS DIOCESE BECOMES MULTICULTURAL
; St. John the Baptist Church congratulates the Diocese...significant black and Vietnamese community. St. John's, as an integral part of the diocese, has...was invited to assume the pastorship of St. John's in December of 1876, taking over, in fact...
VALUABLE LESSONS LEARNED AT ST. JOHN'S
; ...elementary school children, my alma mater, St. John the Baptist Catholic Grade School, is closing...Joliet can say they got their start at St. John's. The closing is sad, however the fact...soured an already somber situation. St. John's is closing because of the financial constraints...
How dare people claim that John wasn't loved; Lennon's sister aims to set family record straight.(News)
; Byline: BY BEN SCHOFIELD Daily Post Staff JOHN LENNON'S sister has hit back at claims...comments made in relation to a new film about John which said he was a lonely teenager abandoned...new exhibition celebrating the life of John at the Beatles Story at Albert Dock. Speaking...
ST. JOHN'S AME CHURCH MOVES OUT TO GROW | EASTWARD BOUND: ST. JOHN'S AME TO BUILD ON CORNER OF EOLA AND LIBERTY IN AURORA
; ...When the Rev. Jesse Hawkins arrived at St. John's African Methodist Episcopalian Church...and its programs so extensive, that St. John's must move from its 16-year home on Fourth...shall be. We feel that the future of St. John's is unlimited. We look forward to being...
John not abandoned by mother, says sister Julia.(News)
; JOHN Lennon's sister has hit back at claims her brother was abandoned...happy about comments made in relation to a new film about John, which said he was a lonely teenager abandoned by his mother...Lennon's life at The Beatles Story, at Albert Dock. She said: John is no longer around to defend himself from ...
Let's all dance to John's tune.(Features)
; ...faith in human nature. It's all down to John Sergeant's tango on Strictly Come Dancing...tyre, sweating forehead and wry smile, John Sergeant has opened up a whole new horizon...correspondent. We're all getting behind John to make sure he doesn't get turfed out...
Patty Smyth Puts Emotions On the Record
; No, Patty Smyth wants you to know, Don Henley is not her lover. "We're friends and...here I am," which is why, Smyth said, she titled the album, simply, "Patty Smyth." "I have revealed myself," she said. "I forgot how much I loved what...
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS REGROUP AS FAMILIES MOVE WEST ST. JOHN'S CLOSING: MESSAGE BEHIND THE POPULATION SHIFT
; JOLIET -- Wednesday's announced closing of St. John the Baptist Catholic Grade School after more...could see the same problems that forced St. John's to close. Chronic financial problems at St. John's were the impetus for forming the steering...
POPULARITY GROWING FOR PICK-ME-UP HERB ST. JOHN'S WORT: SALES RISE AT LOCAL PHARMACIES, HEALTH STORES
; ...appealing, people are claiming that St. John's Wort is helping them put on a happy face...costs about $90 a month or $3 a pill. St. John's Wort comes in containers of 60 or 100...said. The European herb is named after St. John because it blossoms only on his birthday...