John McEnroe’s ex-wife speaks out on ‘anger’ with tennis star ahead of son’s wedding

John McEnroe will be reunited with his ex-wife at his son’s wedding (Image: Getty)

’s ex-wife has addressed her relationship with the retired tennis star as their son prepares to get married.

The seven-time Major champion was married to actress Tatum O’Neal from 1986 to 1994, but their relationship turned sour after their divorce.

O’Neal has now spoken out after holding “anger” towards McEnroe for years.

McEnroe had three children with O’Neal, and their son, Kevin, is preparing to get married. His wedding will mark the first time McEnroe and O’Neal will be in the same room in years.

But McEnroe’s former wife believes there will be no bad blood when they reunite. “The anger is gone,” O’Neal told .

McEnroe and O’Neal spent years communicating only through their children. But in 2020, O’Neal admitted the “happiest times” of her life came when they were married.

The tennis star got remarried to Patty Smyth in 1997, and O’Neal is glad he’s happy.

Tatum O'Neal Vulture Festival Presented By AT&T - DAY 1

Tatum O’Neal said she no longer felt any ‘anger’ towards John McEnroe (Image: Getty)

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“I was loved, I was cared for. … That’s it, that’s what one wants, isn’t it, in a marriage?,” she told CBS five years ago.

“I’ve never met anyone who even comes close to my ex-husband. He’s happier, and I’m happy for him. And that makes me happy.”

It’s taken a long time for McEnroe to get to this place with his ex-wife. The pair could only communicate through their kids after they ended their marriage.

McEnroe was awarded sole custody of their children in 1998 when O’Neal developed a heroin addiction. In 2004 – a decade after they got divorced – O’Neal said there was still plenty of drama in their relationship.

In an interview with Oprah, she explained: “We’re divorced 10 years and it’s still a long story because we’re still deep into a psychic drama, he and I.

“It’s a very difficult communication, through our kids, you know, and God bless how well they’ve turned out.”

The pair are now preparing for Kevin’s upcoming nuptials. Their eldest son proposed to his girlfriend Fern in 2023.

After they announced their engagement on , O’Neal wrote: “This is so beautiful. Wow, Fern and my son. Oh I can’t take it was so beautiful. Wow stunning love you guys.”

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