In the online version of today's NY Times:

Tatum O'Neal: McEnroe Used Steroids
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS


Filed at 10:23 a.m. ET


NEW YORK (AP) -- Tatum O'Neal says her ex-husband, John McEnroe, took steroids while he was on the pro tennis tour, and used cocaine and marijuana -- but only off the court.

O'Neal spoke about McEnroe on ABC's ``20/20,'' which is scheduled to air Friday, in response to his new autobiography, ``You Cannot Be Serious.''

McEnroe, now a TV commentator, wrote in the book that they ``were high'' the first time they had sex in 1984 but didn't reveal the drug. O'Neal said in the interview that it was cocaine.

The 38-year-old actress also told ABC she is ``being drug tested by a doctor in L.A.,'' adding, ``I've been clean now for a few months.''

She said McEnroe used steroids ``when he was coming back after Sean (their son) was born'' in 1987. McEnroe won seven major championships during his career; his last Grand Slam tournament was the 1992 U.S. Open.

Asked whether tennis officials knew about McEnroe's alleged steroid use, O'Neal said: ``I never read about it. I made him stop because he was becoming violent.''

McEnroe, 43, is in London calling Wimbledon matches for NBC and the BBC. His agent, Gary Swain, declined to make him available for comment, but read a statement from McEnroe that said:

``I am very disappointed in Tatum's statements. I had hoped that after all these years she would see things more accurately and that she would share my concern for the welfare of our children.''

McEnroe and O'Neal divorced in 1992. He has been married to singer Patty Smyth since 1997.

I knew he couldn't get that body by simply playing tennis!

Boy, talk about bad press for the steroid companies!

Hmmm...Tatum's not the most reliable of sources at this time, is she? I don't doubt that maybe Mac did *gasp* drugs, but the timing of her statement is a bit odd. The tabloids in England must be saying thanks to the Media Gods for this; first Kournikova loses the plot, now "McEnroe in Drugs Use Shock" to run with.

And George VF:

Is Tatum sure he was using anabolic steroids and not cortisone or something? And I love her reasoning...I got him off those evil steroids because it was altering his behavior. But the cocaine wasn't a problem?

I guess it's possible that he might have used steroid growth to promote muscle regrowth after an injury or something. But he never struck me as a player who was much into weight-lifting (or really conditioning in general), so it's hard to see why he would have bothered with steroid use under normal circumstances.

Mac's response is telling. No outright denial, and plenty of "think of our kids" sentiment. Very interesting...

I agree with above comment about the timing. Rather odd/bad timing I would say. Sounds like there is plenty of dirty laundry between John and Tatum. Re: Mac and steroids, I really thought John was more intelligent than that, but I guess I was wrong.

[ June 27, 2002: Message edited by: puckman1 ]

A couple of things should be remembered here:

1) Tatum said Mac used steroids during his comeback from shoulder trouble. Steroids are very often prescribed to assist in the healing process. Meaning, just because he took 'roids doesn't make it 'rong!

2) Tatum is an admitted drug addict who is one of the few women found to be so incompetent as a mother that a judge thought the children would be better off with the father, who just so happens to be John Freakin' McEnroe! Not like things that come out of her mouth shouldn't be downed with a vat of salt!

[ June 27, 2002: Message edited by: George_vikingfan ]

I think McEnroe and Tatum are both just losers. They have three kids together, but they can't control themselves from trashing each other publicly. McEnroe was wrong for trashing her in his book. O'Neal was wrong for responding in kind. Parenting 101 is that you don't badmouth your kids's other parent in earshot of the kids. They both need to crawl back under their rock of choice, and give everyone, especially their kids, a break from this nonsense.

You're right, Munson Man, both of them are looking pretty lame right now.

You know who McEnroe compares rather favorably to in my opinion at the moment? Danny Bonaduce!!! I think both have alot in common right now. Maybe they should get togther hand have a gossip/talk show on tv... just a thought.

Oh my god, just saw Tatum O'Neal's interview with Baba Waba on 20/20...it's been a long time since we've since such messy messy heterosexual squabbling. There's something extra combustible about a Hollywood star and a Sports star together. I think Tatum's problems started with having a crazy violent father and Mac's problems started with parents' who indulged and encouraged his insanely inappropriate temper. This is really ugly stuff they're spewing at each other and as they say, it'd be funny if it weren't so sad...another generation of children nice and properly f**ked up by their ego-maniacal parents..

The weird thing about Mac & Tatum is that we're kind of used to these messy allegations during divorce proceedings (Chuck Finlay & wife for example), but this is ten years after their divorce. You'd think they could move on by now. Maybe something in McEnroe's book reopened old wounds?

definitely. the reason why all the wounds are being re-gashed is because Johnny Mac's book just came out saying (true or false) many negative things about his ex-wife.

what did he expect would be her reaction? or like everything else in his life, did he expect people to gloss over his boorish bhaviour?

I don't usually post to petty matters like this, but I gotta say it: why does anyone pay attention to these spoiled brats and their ridiculously immature and embarrassing behavior? They were both that way from the minute they walked or were prodded onto the public stage and have gotten only worse. Sure, Mac is a good tennis player, but that's ALL he really is. As for Tantrum, it can't even be said she's good at what she does, which is I know not what these days. Don't people understand that acknowledging these idiots only validates them and perpetuates them in the public eye?

I've got better things to do - I'm off to watch some gay rugby!

Hey, I went and watched the gay rugby yesterday! A great friend of mine is on the Fog and they went 3-0 yesterday. I have a team tennis match this afternoon but I'm going to try and get there to see the championship match later. If anyone's in SF and wants to see the Fog play - it's at the Polo fields in GG Park, right at 25th and Martin Luther King Drive - it's great to watch, the Manchester team is full of cuties and our Fog kicks ass!