Patrick McEnroe Discusses College Tennis Reforms, Transgender Participation, and U.S. Open Marijuana Smell

<p>Tennis player Patrick McEnroe is advocating for federal reforms in college athletics, addressing issues related to transgender participation and the noticeable marijuana smell at the U.S. Open this year.</p><p>During an appearance on OutKick's "Tomi Lahren is Fearless," McEnroe expressed concerns about the prevalence of foreign recruits in American college tennis, describing the sport as a significant indicator of broader trends. He noted that in a recent match between top SEC and ACC teams, 21 out of 24 players were foreign recruits.</p><p>McEnroe stated, "So I knew that the numbers were getting pretty high in tennis. I've been in tennis my whole life. I played college tennis, had an amazing experience, and I became, quite frankly, deeply concerned." He aims to ensure that American collegiate athletes have ample opportunities, prompting him to write an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal and engage with lawmakers in Washington to support a new bill currently under consideration in the House of Representatives.</p><p>He argued that the purpose of American universities and their athletic departments is to support and educate domestic students, advocating for a focus on local talent over international players.</p><p>On the topic of transgender athletes in women's sports, McEnroe, a father of three daughters, expressed his opposition, stating, "I'm not for a trans playing in female sports, no, I'm not."</p><p>Additionally, he commented on the marijuana haze that affected play at the U.S. Open, suggesting that players should be more tolerant. He attributed the smell to tournament workers taking breaks outside the venue, joking, "Instead of taking a break and having some Gatorade, I guess they were taking a little puff."</p><p>Reflecting on the past, McEnroe mentioned he misses the smell of charcoal grilling at the courts, saying, "I kind of miss the smell of the burger. A little weed, if I smelled it in the air, wouldn't affect me as much as a burger, the smell from the charcoal of the burger." He concluded by stating, "Get over it. Making a mountain out of a molehill, not that big of a deal."</p>