**John McEnroe and Patty Smyth Reflect on the Secrets Behind Their Enduring Partnership**
John McEnroe, the legendary tennis star famed for both his dominance on the court and his candid personality, has spent nearly 35 years in partnership with rock musician Patty Smyth. Despite the public intrigue that often shadows high-profile relationships, the couple has shared rare insights into what has kept them together for so long – as well as what could have driven them apart.
Smyth, who first gained recognition as the lead singer of the band Scandal, and McEnroe, a three-time Wimbledon winner, crossed paths in the early 1990s. Their romance blossomed into marriage in 1997, a union which now stands as one of the entertainment world’s more enduring pairings. Yet, they admit that things could have easily turned out differently at one key juncture.
In a 2020 interview with *People*, Smyth spoke openly about a pivotal moment in their relationship: the possibility of starring in a reality TV show together nearly two decades ago. She confessed that her intuition told her such public exposure could be detrimental. “It was a superstition thing for me,” Smyth shared, reflecting on her hesitancy to broadcast their relationship. “I had this gut feeling that if we kept our relationship private, we’d last, but putting it in the public eye might jeopardise what we had.”
This choice, Smyth believes, was crucial to surviving the trials and tribulations that frequently beset celebrity couples. Her resolve to maintain boundaries around their private lives, she suggests, shielded them from the intense scrutiny that can so often prove corrosive. “That reality show probably would have split us up,” she stated, a sentiment echoed by fans who have seen other couples falter under the spotlight.
Prior to meeting Smyth, McEnroe had already made headlines for both his achievements and his personal life. He was previously married to actress Tatum O’Neal, with whom he shares children, before that relationship ended in the mid-1990s. Smyth herself was married to punk musician Richard Hell before she and McEnroe crossed paths. Together, they have raised two daughters, blending their families and careers while navigating life in the public eye.
Reflecting on their lasting romance, Smyth expressed gratitude and a sense of surprise at how enduring their bond has become. “Decades later, I still feel something special when I see him,” she remarked. “I never expected to be with someone for this long. We got very lucky.” Their luck, however, has come with effort, as both have adapted and grown together over the years.
McEnroe, never shy with his opinions, has his own take on their success. Injecting humour into their discussion, he pointed to the importance of maintaining intimacy, joking that their active romantic life was another contributor to their longevity as a couple. Smyth concurred, reinforcing the notion that physical and emotional closeness go hand in hand in sustaining their connection.
In past interviews, McEnroe has also revealed how his attitudes towards relationships shifted following his earlier marriage. “When I met Patty, I didn’t think I wanted another marriage or more children,” he admitted in a 2018 conversation. But Smyth, he said, gave him a “second lease on life,” helping him to become a better, more well-rounded person.
The couple’s story offers a nuanced perspective on celebrity relationships: success, they propose, is rooted not in grand gestures or constant visibility, but in instinct, discretion, and mutual effort. As McEnroe put it, “We’re better together than we ever could be apart.” In a world of fleeting fame and failed partnerships, their enduring union provides a testament to the quieter, more personal work that underpins lasting love.