Racquets and tantrums

John McEnroe entertains the crowds at Wimbledon

In an interview for BBC HARDtalk to be screened on Friday 5 July, Garry Richardson will talk to tennis champion, John McEnroe about his childhood, stormy first marriage to actress Tatum O'Neal and his secret passion for politics.

"Memorable"

John McEnroe is one of the most memorable tennis champions of modern times. He won 77 Singles Titles, including seven Grand Slams.

John McEnroe claims he can now manage his anger

But he is famed for his tantrums on court and colourful private life, as well as his genius with a racquet.

Born in 1959, the son of a self-made New York lawyer, John McEnroe burst upon the tennis scene in 1977.

He was coached by the legendary Harry Hopman at Long Island's Port Washington Academy.

The former bad boy of tennis has reinvented himself as one of the sport's most popular figures and commentators and as the doting father of six children.

He says anger management and family life have transformed him.

On the eve of the Wimbledon finals, he talks to Garry Richardson.

The interview will be screened on Friday 5 July on BBC World and BBC News 24 at the following times:

BBC News 24 (times shown in BST)
0430, repeated 2230

BBC World (times shown in BST)
0430, repeated 0930, 1130, 1630, 1930, 0030