John McEnroe ignored wife's advice on Donald Trump at US Open - 'Don't you dare'

Tennis legend John McEnroe previously ignored a warning from his wife when greeting Donald Trump at the US Open a decade ago. On Sunday, Trump became the first sitting president to attend the US Open final since Bill Clinton in 2000, but he received a mixed response from the crowd.

The heightened security measures needed due to President Trump's presence were partially responsible for the clash between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner being pushed back by half an hour. A number of spectators remained queuing outside when the US Open final finally commenced, with Alcaraz securing the championship in the fourth set. However, four-time US Open champion McEnroe had already expressed his views regarding Trump's attendance at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 66-year-old commentator went against advice from his wife, Patty Smyth, when approaching Trump at the grand slam in 2015, with McEnroe later confessing to having regretted his choice.

There appeared to be a minor confusion when the pair met a decade ago, with Trump mistaking correspondence from McEnroe's father, endorsing his Republican campaign, as being sent from the tennis star. This resulted in a warmer reception than McEnroe had anticipated, with their encounter being captured on camera.

"I've known Donald a little over the years. In fact, my dad - also called John - had written to Trump at the start of his campaign for the Republican nomination, asking if there was anything he could do to help," McEnroe told The Times in 2017. "Donald has a box at the U.S. Open, right next to the broadcasters' booth.

"At the 2015 tournament, I went over to say hello, against the advice of my wife and daughter: 'Don't you dare go over there. He's a misogynist and a blowhard-it could hurt your reputation.' Sure enough, it was caught on TV, me hugging Donald like we were long-lost brothers.

"He did seem more pleased to see me than usual, and I only realized why when he said, 'John, thank you so much for the letter. I've got it on the wall in my office!' I hoped this was fake news. I didn't want everyone who went into Trump's office thinking I was his No. 1 fan."

The duo had previously encountered each other when Trump offered $1million for McEnroe to compete against either Serena or Venus Williams in a match. Both Williams sisters rejected the proposal, while McEnroe was surprised by a message from Trump.

Reflecting on the situation for The Times, McEnroe said: "In 2000, Donald Trump put $1m on the table. 'I wrote a letter to my dear friend John making him the offer,' claimed Trump. His 'dear friend'? News to me."

Earlier this year, McEnroe mentioned the president when discussing psychological tactics during the French Open. "Donald Trump got re-elected. You know why? He got in the head of his opponents," McEnroe stated whilst serving as a pundit for TNT.

While McEnroe was on duty for ESPN during Trump's recent US Open visit, his attention would have been on Alcaraz's impressive performance. The 22-year-old clinched the sixth Grand Slam title of his career.

Alcaraz ascended to the world No. 1 spot following his US Open victory, and runner-up Sinner was quick to commend his opponent post-match. "Carlos and his whole team are doing amazing, and I know there was a lot of hard work behind this performance today and it was better than me so congratulations, it's a great moment for you," Sinner expressed.

"I tried my best today and I couldn't do more. The fans here are amazing, seeing packed stadiums. This place is so, so special."