Tennis Legend John McEnroe Shares His Top Travel Tips And His Latest Project-A Tennis Center In The Bahamas

John McEnroe doesn’t do anything halfway. So when the seven-time Grand Slam champion decided to put his name on a tennis center in the Bahamas, it wasn’t just a branding exercise, it was an extension of his lifelong mission to grow the sport and make it more accessible.

The John McEnroe Tennis Center at Baha Mar, which opened late last year, has quickly become one of the Caribbean’s most impressive racquet-sport facilities, with eight tennis courts, six pickleball courts and a growing roster of programs for all ages and levels.

The tennis center sits within Baha Mar, a sprawling resort complex that blends island ease with big-league luxury, including three hotels (Rosewood, SLS, and Grand Hyatt), more than 45 restaurants and lounges and a glittering casino overlooking turquoise water.

McEnroe comes to the island regularly. He’s hosted clinics for kids and adults and will return in December to co-host the Baha Mar Cup, a four-day celebration of tennis, philanthropy and island life. Now in its sixth year, the event will add a celebrity pro-am pairing touring players with famous faces like Bahamian tennis legend Mark Knowles. Proceeds benefit the Baha Mar Resort Foundation and the Mark Knowles Children’s Tennis Initiative, which fund youth programs and court restoration across the Bahamas.

Ahead of the upcoming Baha Mar Cup, I had an opportunity to get McEnroe’s advice on travel, giving back and life after the tour.

Find Your Place In The Sun: When McEnroe talks about the Bahamas, it’s with the same intensity he brings to a match: equal parts enthusiasm and dry humor. “As far as Baha Mar, I love the beach,” he told me in an interview. “I have a home in California on the ocean, and I’ve always loved the beach, so I’m like, ‘Oh my god, this water’s so warm here.’ It’s amazing.”

Baha Mar has quickly become one of his favorite places to unwind between tournaments and commentary gigs. “The tennis facility is first-class, and I’d love to bring my wife and kids down here,” he says. “Maybe get out on the water, do some jet-skiing—though I remember Björn Borg once hurt his shoulder doing that right before a tournament, so maybe I’ll skip that part.”

But he admits there’s one resort pastime he’s learned to avoid. “I’m not a big gambler—don’t tell anyone at Baha Mar—but I never did that well at it,” he says. “I do love craps, I’ll admit that, but I’m trying to stay away because I’ve got six kids, I’ve got grandkids, and I want to have a little bit left for them.”

Give Back To The Game That Gave You Everything: McEnroe calls the Bahamian tennis center a “natural fit,” a tropical extension of his New York academy. “I’ve been running my academy in New York for fifteen years, and the goal is to change as many lives as possible,” he says. “We have about fifty kids on scholarship there, and we’re hoping to do something similar here—maybe even exchange students between New York and Nassau. It’s about creating opportunity. I was lucky as a kid; people helped me. Now it’s my turn to give back.”

That philosophy aligns perfectly with the Baha Mar Cup’s mission. This year’s event aims to raise $300,000 for Bahamian youth tennis programs, funding clinics, travel grants and new courts for local players.

Full Circle Moments: McEnroe’s connection to the Bahamas runs deep. “I first came here when I was eighteen. There was a tournament in the Bahamas, and I overslept for the final—woke up twenty minutes late, ran downstairs, grabbed a Snickers and a Coke, and lost in three sets,” he says. “So I’ve got history here.”

Looking back, he laughs at the rookie mistake but says his affection for the islands has only deepened over time. “I’ve always loved it—the warmth of the people, the beauty of the place. For me it’s about the beach, the water, and being able to bring my family down.”

Keep Your Edge—At Any Age: McEnroe doesn’t sugarcoat it when I ask if vacationers can still dream of going pro. He leans into his trademark humor. “Might be a little late—twenty years or so,” he says. “I’ve never met anyone who started after ten and made it on the tour. But there are plenty of ways to compete if that’s something you want to do—there’s a place for everyone.”

Play For More Than A Win: McEnroe is quick to remind players that the real payoff isn’t a trophy, it’s the discipline the game teaches. “Tennis can be isolating. You’re out there alone, making decisions, handling pressure,” he says. “But it also builds character. If we can give kids that experience—whether they become pros or not—that’s what matters. And if we can do it in a place like this, well, that’s not such a bad deal.”

Never Stop Moving” Between global broadcasting gigs and a growing brood of children and grandchildren, McEnroe rarely slows down. “I’d rather be working, teaching or on a court somewhere than sitting still,” he says. And with the Baha Mar Cup returning this December, that court just happens to be in paradise.

MORE FROM FORBES:

ForbesThe Star Of ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Shares His Best Travel Tips And His Latest Project—A Travel Rewards Credit CardForbesThe 26 Best Trips For 2026, According To Travel Experts

Click here to read article