The 47-year-old American teamed up with home favourite Jonas Bjorkman in front of a sellout crowd to beat Andreas Vinciguerra and Johan Landsberg 6-3 6-2 in a first-round doubles match on Thursday.
"It brings back nice memories," said McEnroe who was watched by Bjorn Borg, his great rival of the 1970s and 1980s.
"It's going to get harder but it's nice to get a chance again to play with Jonas. Bjorn was there and so was Stefan (Edberg) and some of the other players came in which added to the excitement," he told reporters.
Bjorkman and McEnroe, who won the San Jose doubles title in February, outclassed their opponents with classic serve and volley tactics.
Vinciguerra and Landsberg were called in as replacements for fellow Swedes Joachim Johansson and Thomas Johansson.
Thomas Johansson, the 2002 Australian Open winner, pulled out because his wife was expecting a baby.
"They were afraid of us, I know them. That's the way I put it," joked McEnroe. "They were running scared."
The
BORG RIVALRY
The rivalry with 50-year-old Borg, which peaked in two Wimbledon finals in 1980 and 1981, began at the Stockholm Open.
On the way to his first win here in 1978, McEnroe beat the Swede in the semis.
"Playing Bjorn here, it was the first time I played him," said the American.
"He's the greatest rival I ever had. To be able to spend some time with him again, the noise the people made with their feet...it's nice for me to play here."
McEnroe also won one doubles trophy here but is best remembered in the tournament for his semi-final win over Swede Anders Jarryd in 1984.
The American famously lost his temper when he was down a set and a break against Jarryd.
McEnroe questioned a call by the umpire and also smashed the water jugs by his seat with his racket.
He went on to win that match and the tournament, a feat he repeated the following year.
Bjorkman and McEnroe will meet third seeds Simon Aspelin and Toddy Perry in the second round.