Brothers John McEnroe and Patrick McEnroe are set to play an exhibition match in Tanzania, but their decision has come under fire from human rights organizations.
The McEnroe brothers are one of the most successful siblings in the world of tennis, as they have both enjoyed a lot of success on the ATP Tour, and now with their careers over, they are both staying close to the sport.
Both serve as Team Captains for Team World at the Laver Cup, while John is doing commentary, among other things, while Patrick has his own podcast.
On top of that, they are also taking every opportunity to return to the court, even if it’s not a tennis court. John McEnroe played in some pickleball exhibitions, but this time, he’s set to compete against his brother.
The two are scheduled to play an exhibition match in Tanzania, as a part of the “Epic Tanzania Tour,” which is co-organized by the Tanzanian government.
However, their expedition, which includes tennis clinics for Maasai children and visits to a “Maasai Cultural Village,” is unfolding against a backdrop of profound social unrest, as per Human Rights Watch.
For decades, the Maasai, a pastoralist community relying heavily on cattle farming, have been facing government-led eviction from their ancestral lands.
The McEnroe brothers’ decision to proceed with the tour in this context is increasingly seen as tone-deaf, particularly as it grants them and their guests access to areas like the Ngorongoro crater — a privilege denied to the Maasai.
Criticism has also emerged from within Tanzania. Edward Porokwa, director of the Arusha-based Pastoralists Indigenous Non-Governmental Organization’s Forum, has labeled the tour “irresponsible,” accusing it of ignoring human rights issues for the sake of tourism.
It comes at a time when countries were accused of sports-washing, and it will be interesting to see how the McEnroe brothers approach the situation.
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