John McEnroe sells Charles Manson-inspired artwork for $13.2 million

John McEnroe sold a painting inspired by serial killer Charles Manson for $10.4 million (13.2m) at a Phillips auction in London.

The retired tennis pro acquired "Helter Skelter I" in 2007. It's the creation of Mark Bradford, a Los Angeles artist who represented the US last year at the Venice Biennial, one of the most prestigious international art exhibitions.

McEnroe, 59, whose Hall of Fame career included seven Grand Slam singles titles and epic on-court tirades, is a tennis analyst for ESPN. He's also a frequent presence on the art circuit, appearing at fairs, auctions and openings.

Bradford, born in 1961, is the recipient of numerous awards, including the MacArthur Genius Grant in 2009. His annual sales at auction peaked at $17.4 million in 2015, and dropped to $6.9 million last year, according to Artprice.com.

The Washington Post