10 Questions for John McEnroe

By Bill Saporito

The onetime bad boy of tennis, famous for his brilliant play and frequent outbursts, has mellowed, sort of, into one of the game's best analysts: outspoken, insightful and never afraid of a little controversy. Those qualities may come in handy on his new talk show, McEnroe, which debuts this Wednesday on CNBC at 10 p.m. E.T. He talked with TIME's Bill Saporito.

THE BRITS USED TO LOATHE YOU. NOW YOU'RE THE BBC'S MAIN MAN AT WIMBLEDON. WHAT HAPPENED?

They tried to do something different. The BBC used to be "Jolly good shot." Now they let me do my thing. They encourage me not to dress up.

TENNIS HAS BEEN SAGGING IN BOTH VIEWERS AND PARTICIPANTS. WHERE ARE WE GOING TO GET ANOTHER RIVALRY LIKE YOU AND BORG, YOU AND CONNORS, YOU AND WHOEVER WAS THE CHAIR UMPIRE?

That's one area where tennis has a great opportunity: the fact that it's athletic and good for you. That's certainly an endorsement of tennis over golf, although golf's a good game. I find it rather appalling that Americans are sitting on their asses all the time. Our union has done a poor job promoting the game. Roger Federer could be one of the greatest players of all time. I like Andy Roddick quite a bit. Roddick has personality; Federer's got game. Roddick gets it. He realizes he's got to do things to make himself accessible. He's a smart guy. Getting the media is a critical part of making people more aware of him as a person. Forget the people who aren't tennis fans. A lot of people wouldn't know Gaston Gaudio if they fell over him.

WHO IN THE WORLD IS GASTON GAUDIO?

He just won the French Open.

WHY DO THE WOMEN SEEM TO BE AHEAD OF THE MEN RIGHT NOW?

They have some beautiful women combined with some pretty great tennis. It was awkward when the Williams sisters were playing by themselves. It makes it more interesting if there are two, three, four more players in the mix. That's why the women's game was doing so well. [Martina] Hingis was in the picture; Steffi [Graf] was there. People had more feeling about the players. There are too many other options for fans to not do a better job of that. The players have to realize that. If they had any idea of what Billie Jean [King] or Rod Laver had to do to increase the awareness of the sport...

NOW YOU'RE GOING TO BE A TALK-SHOW HOST ON CNBC. AS A TENNIS PLAYER, YOU WERE SERVE AND VOLLEY, FROM THE LEFT. WHAT'S YOUR TALK-SHOW GAME?

I'm leaning left at this point in terms of where my beliefs and stands are. I'm not comfortable with what's going on with the right. I'm also learning, having a show where I can perhaps educate myself. It will be interesting to hear all points of view.

YOU'VE GUEST-HOSTED LETTERMAN. WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT DAVE DOESN'T?

Not a whole lot. Dave to me has been the man for years, so if I can get anywhere near his level, that would be an accomplishment. I have a better serve, though.

YOU'RE A SERIOUSLY MEDIOCRE MUSICIAN MARRIED TO A REAL ONE [PATTY SMYTH]. DOES SHE LET YOU PLAY GUITAR AT HOME?

Not very much. I have six kids, and when I start to play almost every one of them, and my wife, discourages it. So it's hard to improve.

SIX KIDS. IS THERE SOME KIND OF TENNIS THING GOING ON HERE?

It's more like a two-marriage thing. But it's a good thing. Let's just say it's a loud dinner table. It's humbled me.

WOULD YOU LET ANY OF THEM BECOME A SOLDIER?

Yes. But it would be with a heavy heart. It's an unbelievably tough dilemma. On the one hand, I would say I'd rather they didn't go. But on the other hand, how can I not let them serve their country? The answer, I guess, is that I'd rather go myself.

YOU'RE ALSO A BIG ART COLLECTOR AND DEALER. PRICES FOR IMPRESSIONISTS AND MODERN MASTERS ARE GOING OFF THE CHARTS. WHAT DOES THIS TELL YOU? IS THIS STUPID-MONEY TIME AGAIN?

No. It tells me there's a lot of money out there. I wouldn't say it's stupid money. I wouldn't totally dog it. I would rather have a piece of art than a stock.