Dr. Angela Lauria and Matt Lowry, LPP, discuss tennis legend John McEnroe and his many Autistic traits.
McEnroe had an impressive tennis career, utilizing Autistic pattern recognition to anticipate where the ball would go. He visualized the court like a chess board and said he turned the game into a math equation. The hosts further relate this to expectation sensitivity and Autistic scripting.
He was misunderstood for his on-court meltdowns reacting to unfair calls by referees. The media unjustly portrayed him as a "brat" and one of the most disliked people in the world—harsh!
“Because all autistic people, we have that expectation sensitivity, because we live in a world full of chaos and we need things to be predictable. Hence the patterns.” —Matt
In reality, the Autistic athlete is extremely empathetic and generous, donating huge sums to charity. He’s loyal to friends and passionate about causes like youth tennis programs.
His wife, Patty, believes he is on the autism spectrum based on his routines, math skills, sensory issues, and focus on special interests like art and guitar. McEnroe agrees it's likely.
“Patty is there for it, 28 years, great kids, great marriage and she says the thing that keeps their marriage strong is that she can always count on the fact that no one has a better moral compass than John.” —Angela
The hosts argue McEnroe's meltdowns were a natural reaction to an allistic world that insists on conformity and compliance over truth and justice. Perhaps, if the media had used a neurodiversity-affirming lens, he could have avoided being labeled so negatively.
Now in his later years, the Autistic celebrity leads a happy life with a partner who understands him. He channels special interests positively into tennis programs, art deals, and (his latest Autistic activity) voiceover work.
Did you catch all of McEnroe’s Autistic SPINs? In the comments, tell us which Autistic interests you picked up on, and use #AutisticCultureCatch to share your answer on your social media and connect with other listeners!
McEnroe’s memoir: But Seriously
Autistic people have big emotions—YouTube video: The Meltdown of all Meltdowns
Article: John McEnroe: Star not he possibility of being Autistic, ‘I’m somewhere around there’
NPR episode: John McEnroe grapples with his legacy as tennis' bad boy
Visual: McEnroe’s Warhol painting
McEnroe’s voice work website
Listen to next:
McEnroe loves chess and we know why! Episode 31: Chess is Autistic
McEnroe’s looking to break into voice over work and he’ll have plenty of company when he makes it: Episode 32: Animation is Autistic
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TACP’s Autism-affirming TeePublic merch shop
McEnroe is Autistic (Episode 42)