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Former U.S. Davis Cup team captain Patrick McEnroe is now the executive director of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy and a tennis analyst. He also hosts the SiriusXM podcast “Holding Court with Patrick McEnroe.” The former pro athlete said he’ll always be grateful to tennis for all the opportunities it provided, including touring the world. “[Travel] is one of the great perks of working in tennis,” he said. “You build relationships all over the world and get to experience different cultures in a really meaningful way. The global tennis community is pretty special in that sense. I’ve made lifelong friends in all different parts of the world, and it’s been fascinating to see how places evolve over time. I like to keep it simple – walking, hiking, exploring and finding great local food. I always try to avoid the American chains when we’re overseas, and really experience wherever we are.”

McEnroe resides in Bronxville, New York, with his Tony Award-nominated wife, Melissa Errico, and their three daughters. He stays in touch with fans on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/patrick.mcenroe/) and Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@holdingcourtwithpatrickmcenroe). This interview with McEnroe was edited for clarity and length.

Q: Do people challenge you to tennis matches when you're out in the wild?

A: It happens once in a while. When I was younger and living in New York, especially playing in Central Park, I’d get challenged all the time by local players. These days, it’s less common, but every now and then someone will joke about it. I usually tell them it might not be the smartest idea.

Q: What tips can you share about staying healthy on the road?

A: I think it starts with being intentional. When you’re on the road, it’s easy to fall into bad habits, so you have to make a conscious effort to take care of yourself. I always try to eat as well as I can. One of the things I’ve noticed, especially in Europe, is that the food tends to be less processed, which makes a difference. The other piece is staying active. I try to keep some kind of routine, whether that’s using a hotel gym or finding a local spot to work out, which is a great way to get a feel for a place.

Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?

A: My wife and I love Hydra in the Greek islands. It’s beautiful, relaxed and has a really unique charm that makes it easy to disconnect. I also love Italy for the culture, history and, of course, the food. Paris is another favorite city of mine. There’s just something about it that never gets old. And even though I go to Melbourne every year for the Australian Open, it’s become one of my favorite places as well. The restaurant scene is fantastic and it’s such a vibrant, green city that I always enjoy spending time there, even when it’s for work.

Q: What was a trip you took as a child that stands out?

A: Going to Ireland. Both sides of my family have roots there so it was a meaningful place to visit. What I remember most is falling off a horse while horseback riding. I was probably around 10 or 12, and it scared me enough that I never really got back on a horse after that. I haven’t been back since I was a teenager, but it’s definitely on my list. I’d love to return with my wife and my kids and experience it again from a completely different perspective.

Q: What's the most important thing you've learned from your travels?

A: The biggest thing I’ve learned from traveling is the importance of being open to different cultures, perspectives and ways of life. You realize pretty quickly that there’s no one right way to do things. I was fortunate to start traveling at a young age through tennis, taking buses and trains around Europe on my own when I was 14 or 15, and that really shaped how I see the world. It forces you to listen more, observe more and respect the people and places you’re experiencing.

Q: Where are your favorite weekend getaways?

A: For a quick getaway, I like places that are easy to get to but feel like a real change of pace. The Caribbean, especially the Bahamas, is great for that. I also love getting up to Upstate New York. The mountains – and the hiking – are a completely different environment.

Q: If you've ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?

A: One of the best holiday trips I’ve taken with my family was to Paris. I’m usually there during the tennis season in the spring, so getting to experience the city during the holidays was completely different and really special.

Q: Do you have any summer vacation trips planned?

A: We’re trying to plan a trip to Ireland, which is at the top of the list right now. It’s somewhere I haven’t been back to in a long time, and I’d really like to return. If that doesn’t come together, we’ve talked about going back to Greece. We’ve done the islands a few times and always love it there.

Q: What are your five favorite cities?

A: Paris is always special. Melbourne has an incredible energy and food scene. Rome is hard to beat for its history and phenomenal cuisine. Athens is a must-see from a cultural and historical standpoint. And Copenhagen has a really unique vibe with everyone biking and all the canals.

Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?

A: I’d really like to go to Buenos Aires. I’ve spent a lot of time in South America, but somehow I’ve never made it there. Argentina is a big tennis country and the city itself has always intrigued me. People describe it as a bit like a mini Paris with incredible food and wine. It’s definitely high on my list.

Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?

A: I always travel with a few good books and make sure I have a good pair of headphones for listening on flights or downtime. Beyond that, it’s the basics – my computer, phone and all the necessary chargers. Keeping it simple.

Q: What is your guilty pleasure when you're on the road?

A: Gelato, without a doubt, especially when I’m in Italy. I usually go with two flavors: stracciatella and then either chocolate or coffee.

Q: What is your best and/or worst vacation memory?

A: One of the best trips we’ve ever taken was a safari in Kruger National Park [in South Africa]. It was before we had kids and it was an incredible experience. We stayed at a beautiful place called Singita, which was one of the early luxury private reserves. It had amazing food, an incredible setting and then you’d go out on safari early in the morning and again in the evening. Being out there and seeing wildlife up close like that was something I’ll never forget. On the flip side, our honeymoon had a bit of everything. We left an island in Fiji early because the heat was overwhelming and my wife developed some allergies, which wasn’t ideal. But the trip turned around. We went on to hike the Milford Track in New Zealand and visit the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, two of the most amazing places I’ve ever been to.

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(Jae-Ha Kim is a New York Times bestselling author and journalist. You can reach her at www.jaehakim.com, follow her on Instagram and X @goawaywithjae, or read more from her on Substack (jaehakim.substack.com).)

©2026 Jae-Ha Kim. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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