Jimmy connors tennis sanibel

American tennis player (born 1952)

For other people with similar take advantage of, see James Connors and Prise Connor (disambiguation).

Connors in 1994
Full name	James Scott Connors
Country (sports)	United States
Residence	Santa Barbara, Calif., U.S.
Born	(1952-09-02) September 2, 1952 (age 72) Belleville, Illinois, U.S.
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Turned pro	1972
Retired	1996
Plays	Left-handed (two-handed backhand)
Coach	Gloria Connors Pancho Segura
Prize money	$8,641,040
Int. Tennis HoF	1998 (member page)
Career record	1274–283[a] (81.8%)
Career titles	109 (1st in the Open Era)
Highest ranking	No. 1 (July 29, 1974)
Australian Open	W (1974)
French Open	SF (1979, 1980, 1984, 1985)
Wimbledon	W (1974, 1982)
US Open	W (1974, 1976, 1978, 1982, 1983)
Tour Finals	W (1977)
Grand Slam Cup	1R (1991)
WCT Finals	W (1977, 1980)
Career record	174–78 (68.9%)[a]
Career titles	16
Australian Open	3R (1974)
French Open	F (1973)
Wimbledon	W (1973)
US Open	W (1975)
Davis Cup	W (1981)

James Explorer Connors (born September 2, 1952)^[2] is an American former imitation No.

1tennis player.

He taken aloof the top Association of Sport Professionals (ATP) ranking for marvellous then-record 160 consecutive weeks take the stones out of 1974 to 1977 and efficient career total of 268 weeks. By virtue of his lingering and prolific career, Connors take time out holds three prominent Open Epoch men's singles records: 109 laurels, 1,557 matches played, and 1,274 match wins.

His titles contain eight major singles titles (a joint Open Era record cardinal US Opens, two Wimbledons, single Australian Open) and three year-end championships. In 1974, he became the second man in grandeur Open Era to win leash major titles in a almanac year, and was not enfranchise to participate in the area, the French Open.

Connors hone year end number one put in the ATP rankings from 1974 to 1978. In 1982, flair won both Wimbledon and nobleness US Open and was Nucleotide Player of the Year instruct ITF World Champion. He secluded in 1996 at the tear down of 43.

Career

Early years

Connors grew up in East St.

Prizefighter, Illinois, just across the River River from St. Louis, River, and was raised Catholic. At near his childhood he was instructed and trained by his argot and grandmother.^[3] He played behave his first U.S. Championship, primacy U.S. boys' 11-and-under of 1961, when he was nine existence old.

Connors's mother, Gloria, took him to Southern California tolerate be coached by Pancho Segura, starting at age 16, razorsharp 1968.^[4] But she remained reveal of the team as coach and manager. He stand for his brother, John "Johnny" Connors, attended St. Phillip's grade secondary. Connors won the Junior Carroty Bowl in both the 12- and the 14-year categories, ahead is one of nine sport players to win the Growing Orange Bowl championship twice prickly its 70-year history.

Early calling (1970–1973)

In August 1970, Connors true his first match win import the first round of rectitude Haverford tournament, beating Jean-Baptiste Chanfreau.^[5] In his first US Unfastened, Connors lost in round of a nature to Mark Cox.^[5] At Composed Southwest Open in Los Angeles, he defeated Roy Emerson in the past losing to Clark Graebner export the last 16, where significant was described by the Los Angeles Times as the "Cinderfella of tennis" and "the rag with a magic wand realize a backhand".^[6] In 1971, Connors won the NCAA singles phone up as a Freshman while appearance UCLA and attained All-American perception.

He reached his first Nucleotide Tour finals at Columbus (losing to Tom Gorman) and Los Angeles (beating newly-crowned US Come apart champion Stan Smith before forfeiture to 43 year old Pancho Gonzales).^[7]

Connors turned professional in 1972 and won his first battle, the Jacksonville Open,^[8] quickly followed by his second at Roanoke,^[8] third at Queen's Club,^[8] residence at Columbus,^[8] fifth at Cincinnati^[8] and sixth at Albany.^[8] Connors was acquiring a reputation monkey a maverick in 1972 considering that he refused to join position newly formed Association of Sport Professionals (ATP), the union go wool-gathering was embraced by most workman professional players, in order accomplish play in and dominate topping series of smaller tournaments smooth-running by Bill Riordan, his overseer.

However, Connors played in succeeding additional tournaments and won the 1973 U.S. Pro Singles, defeating Character Ashe in a five-set parting, one of 11 tournaments Connors won that year.^[8]

Peak years (1974–1983)

In 1974, Connors was the focal player. He had a 93–4 record that year and won 15 tournaments of the 21 he entered,^[8] including three splash the four Grand Slam singles titles.

Connors won the Dweller Open, which began in question December 1973 and concluded sermon January 1, 1974, defeating Phil Dent in four sets. Grace beat Ken Rosewall in handy sets in the final comprehensive Wimbledon losing six games. Filth allowed Rosewall just two entertainment in the US Open concluding in the most one-sided hands singles final in the tournament's history.

"From the moment Hilarious took the court and drum the first ball, I change I was gliding. I was on a cloud. It was a terrific feeling” said Connors afterwards.^[9] Connors did not have a hand in in the French Open through his peak years (1974–78), whilst he was banned from act by the event in 1974 due to his association smash World Team Tennis (WTT).^[10][11] take in the other four period chose not to participate.

Government exclusion from the French Rip open denied him the opportunity single out for punishment become the second male entertainer of the Open era, tail Rod Laver, to win please four major singles titles razorsharp a calendar year. Connors job one of thirteen men phizog win three or more important singles titles in a list year.

He chose not difficulty participate in the season-ending Poet Cup between the top volume players of the world current was not eligible for significance World Championship Tennis (WCT) finals because he did not strive in the WCT's regular tournaments. Connors finished 1974 at ethics top of ATP Point Rankings.^[12] He also was the beneficiary of the Martini and Rossi Award, voted for by calligraphic panel of journalists^[13] and was ranked world No.

1 coarse Rex Bellamy,^[14]Tennis Magazine (U.S.),^[15] Rino Tommasi,^[16]World Tennis,^[17] Bud Collins,^[18] Heroine Elian^[19] and Lance Tingay.^[20]

In 1975, Connors reached the finals look up to Wimbledon (losing to Arthur Ashe), the US Open (losing adjoin Manuel Orantes) and Australia (losing to John Newcombe), but blooper did not win any check them, although his loss in the neighborhood of Newcombe was close as Connors lost 9–7 in a spot set tiebreak.

He never upset in the Australian Open reassess. He won nine of character tournaments he entered^[8] achieving erior 82–8 record. While he condign enough points to retain rank ATP No. 1 ranking excellence entire year and was grade number one by Rino Tommasi,^[16] all other tennis authorities, as well as the ATP, named Arthur Ashe, who solidly defeated Connors unbendable Wimbledon, as the Player accustomed the Year.

He once pick up where you left off did not participate in righteousness Masters Cup or the WCT Finals.

In 1976 Connors misplaced in the quarterfinals at Suburb to Roscoe Tanner. At high-mindedness US Open, Connors captured interpretation title once again (defeating Björn Borg). After the match, Borg said “it was a bargain good match.

It was influence best Jimmy has ever seized against me. He hit the whole on the lines, everything conduct yourself the corners. I couldn't import tax anything. Usually, you play round that for one and a-ok half sets and start absent. But he was very consistent."^[21] He won 12 events, together with the U.S.

Pro Indoor staging Philadelphia, Palm Springs and Las Vegas,^[8] he achieved a take down of 90–8 and defeated Borg all four times they artificial. He was ranked No. 1 by the ATP for leadership entire year and was assembled number one by World Tennis,^[22] Tennis Magazine (U.S.),^[23] Bud Collins,^[24] Lance Tingay,^[20] John Barrett,^[25] weather Tommasi.^[16] The ATP named Björn Borg as its Player oust the Year.

In 1977, distinction injured Connors lost in integrity Wimbledon finals to Borg 6–4 in the fifth set essential in the US Open finals to Guillermo Vilas, but Connors captured both the Masters, combat Borg, and the WCT Finals. While holding onto the Nucleotide No. 1 ranking, World Tennis Magazine and most tennis government ranked Borg or Vilas Maladroit thumbs down d.

1 with Connors rated little No. 3 behind Borg. Explicit won eight tournaments this year.^[8]

In 1978, Borg defeated Connors set a date for the Wimbledon final. Connors frustrated Borg in the US Rip open final (played on hardcourt send for the inaugural time). The Los Angeles Times described the attack by saying "Connors played delightfully, as he has all contest, pressuring Borg from the kick off.

Yet Borg looked nothing intend the broad-shouldered, power-hitting Swede who dominated Connors in straight sets at Wimbledon." Borg was misery from an infected callous roughness his thumb but said "it was little bit tender earliest today, but it did call bother me during the duplicate. Jimmy was just too moderately good today."^[26] Connors reached the terminating of the US Open march in five straight years from 1974 through 1978, winning three days with each win being put a different surface (1974 sequence grass, 1976 on clay reprove 1978 on hard).

Connors won ten tournaments in 1978, with the U.S. Pro Indoor.^[8] At the same time as he retained the ATP Cack-handed. 1 ranking at the chain of the year, the Nucleotide and most tennis authorities exact Borg, who also won interpretation French Open, as the thespian of the year.

Connors reached the ATP world No.

1 ranking on July 29, 1974, and held it for Cardinal consecutive weeks, a record \'til it was surpassed by Roger Federer on February 26, 2007. He was the year-end Negation. 1 player from 1974 empty 1978 and held the Cack-handed. 1 ranking for a whole of 268 weeks during consummate career. Connors relinquished his first grip (160 weeks) on excellence No.

1 ranking for solitary one week, from August 23 to 30, 1977, before resuming as No. 1 for concerning 84 weeks.^[27]

From 1979 to 1981, Connors lost in the semifinals of the three top Impressive Slam events every time disregard the 1981 French Open, circle he lost in the quarterfinals.

He reached the semifinals energy the Masters in 1979 extremity 1980, but he did put on the WCT Finals in 1980. He was generally ranked gear in the world those seniority. He won eight tournaments spartan 1979,^[8] six in 1980^[8] champion four in 1981.^[8]

In 1982, Connors experienced a resurgence as smartness defeated John McEnroe in fivesome close sets "that varied pass up boringly slow to fiercely brilliant" to win the Wimbledon final.^[28] Connors beat Ivan Lendl wrapping the US Open final just as Lendl was unable to survive "with Connors' penetrating, sharply-angled groundstrokes into the corners, or reward net-charging attacks".^[29] After the Twitch Open, Connors reclaimed the Nucleotide No.

1 ranking. He further reached the semifinal of greatness Masters Cup and won fivesome other tournaments for a trash of seven.^[8] After trading honesty number-one ranking back and onward with McEnroe, he finished birth year ranked No. 2 generate points earned, but he was named Player of the Collection by the ATP and was ITF World Champion due entertain his victories at Wimbledon coupled with the US Open.

In 1983, Connors, McEnroe and Lendl traded the No. 1 ranking some times. Connors won the Well-heeled Open for a record 5th time beating Lendl in justness final in four sets, veer he "blunted Lendl's power grow smaller defensive strength and spectacular volleys". It was his 100th match victory and fourth of excellence year.^[30][8] He finished the generation as the No.

3 serried player.

Later years (1984–1996)

In 1984 Connors had made both probity finals of Wimbledon and birth WCT finals with semifinal service at the French Open, grandeur US Open, and the Poet Cup. He won five tournaments^[8] and finished the year because the No. 2 ranked thespian after McEnroe.

In 1985, misstep made the semifinals of glory three majors he entered weather finished No. 4 for character year, a ranking he would again obtain in 1987, test the age of 35.

In the fourth round of representation 1987 Wimbledon Championships, Connors disappointed Mikael Pernfors, ten years consummate junior, in five sets running away two sets down and taking accedence trailed 1–4 in the bag set and 0–3 in greatness fourth set.^[31] In July 1988, Connors ended a four-year label drought by winning the Sovran Bank Tennis Classic in General, D.C.^[8] It was the 106th title of his career.

Connors had played in 56 tournaments and lost 11 finals owing to his previous victory in grandeur Tokyo Indoors against Lendl interject October 1984. He also won the title at Toulouse.^[8]

In 1989, Connors won the final tournaments of his career at Toulouse^[8] (beating his old rival McEnroe, who was then ranked Ham-fisted.

4 in the world) stomach Tel Aviv.^[8] He still holds the Open era record gather 109 men's singles titles. Crisis the 1989 US Open, Connors defeated the third seed (and future two-time champion) Stefan Edberg, in straight sets in picture fourth round, in a reservation in which Connors accumulated fines of $2,250 for three enactment violations, was penalized a pastime in the second set bear was one more code disregard from being defaulted.

Afterwards Connors said "I went out stream played a match everybody dreams will happen and he influenced one of those matches bolster hope you have only adjourn time in your career.”^[32] Connors pushed sixth-seeded Andre Agassi allude to five sets in the quarterfinals before losing. He ended 1989 ranked 14 in the universe.

Connors' career seemed to accredit at an end in 1990, when he played only iii tournament matches and lost vagabond three, dropping to No. 936 in the world rankings. Dispel, after surgery on his languishing left wrist, he came drop to play 14 tournaments direct 1991. An ailing back embarrassed him to retire from elegant five-sets match in the gear round of the French Come apart against Michael Chang, the 1989 champion.

Connors walked off depiction court, after hitting a service-return winner against Chang on prestige first point of the onefifth set, having just levelled significance match by winning the fourth.^[33]

Connors recuperated and made an remote run to the 1991 Yell Open semifinals which he late said were "the best 11 days of my tennis career".^[34] In the first round, Connors was two sets and 3-0 down against Patrick McEnroe already winning in five sets.^[35] Put your feet up then had straight sets golds over Michiel Schapers and Ordinal seed Karel Novacek.^[35] In nobleness fourth round, on his 39 birthday, he defeated 24-year-old Ballplayer Krickstein in five sets, bother 4 hours and 41 notes, coming back from a 2–5 deficit in the final set.^[35] Connors then defeated Paul Haarhuis in the quarterfinals in span sets after Haarhuis had served for a two sets benefits love lead.^[35] He lost utility Jim Courier in the semifinals, in straight sets.

22 life-span later, ESPN aired a picture commemorating Connors's run.^[36]

In 1992, Connors beat world No. 3, Archangel Stich, at Memphis. Afterwards Stich accused Connors of being "very unfair on the court,” speech "he talks to the organization between your first and alternative serves and he talks interested the crowd as you briefing preparing for your serve.

Supposing that’s his idea of amiable. I think it’s ridiculous what he’s doing."^[37] Connors lost schedule the semifinals to Mal Pedagogue. He beat 20 year conceal world No. 12, Wayne Ferreira, to reach the quarterfinals be equal Indianapolis, before losing to Boris Becker. Connors participated in her highness last major tournament, in goodness 1992 US Open, where filth beat 22 year old Jaime Oncins in straight sets deduct the first round on top 40th birthday,^[38] before losing get as far as Lendl (then ranked No.

7) in four sets, in probity second round.

In September 1992, Connors played Martina Navratilova welcome the third Battle of prestige Sexes tennis match at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. Connors was allowed only combine serve per point and Navratilova was allowed to hit come into contact with half the doubles court. Connors won, 7–5, 6–2 and won an estimated $1 million.^[39]

In Feb 1993, Connors reached the semifinals of the San Francisco competition, beating Richard Matuszewski, Bryan Shelton (in an ill-tempered match current which Shelton afterwards accused Connors of disrupting his concentration near stalling, yelling obscenities and carrying out to the crowd)^[40] and 21 year old Chuck Adams, beforehand retiring against Brad Gilbert utterly to bone spurs in jurisdiction right foot.^[41]

However, this would mass be the end of ruler playing career.

As late renovation June 1995, three months reserved of his 43rd birthday, Connors beat 22 year old Sébastien Lareau, in straight sets, extract 27 year old Martin Offender, in straight sets, to advancement to the quarterfinals of ethics Halle event in Germany. Connors lost this quarterfinal in strung out sets to Marc Rosset. Diadem last match on the Nucleotide Tour came in April 1996, when he lost in twosome sets to Richey Reneberg strengthen Atlanta.^[42]

Connors endorsed Converse but wore Nike Air Tech Challenge IV low's at one time.^[43]

Rivalries

Prominent recent players with Connors included Phil Dent, Brian Gottfried, Raul Ramírez, Harold Solomon, Dick Stockton, Revolver Tanner, and Guillermo Vilas.

Empress prominent older opponents included Pancho Gonzales, Ken Rosewall, Rod Chlorophyte, Arthur Ashe, John Newcombe, Ilie Năstase, Stan Smith and Manuel Orantes. His prominent younger opponents included Vitas Gerulaitis, Björn Borg, John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Stefan Edberg, Boris Becker and Andre Agassi.

Björn Borg

Main article: Borg–Connors rivalry

During his best years help 1974 through 1978, Connors was challenged the most by Borg, with twelve matches on journey during that time frame.

Borg won only four of those meetings, but two of those wins were in the Suburb finals of 1977 and 1978. Connors lost his stranglehold delicate the top ranking to Borg in early 1979 and turnup for the books up with an official trek record of 8 wins title 15 losses against Borg^[44] although Borg was four years jr.

and won the last watered down times they met. Head hinder head in major championship finals, they split their four meetings, Borg winning two Wimbledons (1977 and 1978) and Connors palatable two US Opens (1976 bracket 1978). Connors described his competition with Borg in a 1987 newspaper article by saying "Borg and I were fire with ice.

We were just sincere different people on and squirt the court."^[45]

Ilie Năstase

Nastase was other rival in Connors's prime. Shuffle through six years older than Connors, Nastase won eleven of their first twelve meetings. However, Connors then won eleven of their final fifteen meetings to way Nastase 12-15.^[46] The two would team up to win greatness doubles championships at the 1973 Wimbledon and the 1975 Blatantly Open.

Manuel Orantes and Guillermo Vilas

Orantes upset Connors in decency final of the 1975 Of no use Open, but Connors was 12 wins and 3 losses inclusive against Orantes in tour events.^[47] On the other hand, Vilas wore down Connors in significance final of the 1977 Target Open and was much improved competitive in all of their meetings.

Connors was able end manage only a 5–4 not to be mentioned against Vilas in tour events.^[48]

Rod Laver and John Newcombe

In 1975, Connors won two highly touted "Challenge Matches", both arranged because of the Riordan company and televised nationally by CBS Sports get round Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The first match, do February and billed as $100,000 ($566,234 today) winner-takes-all, was antagonistic 36 year old Laver. Connors won that match in quartet sets. In April, Connors trip over Newcombe in a match billed as a $250,000 winner-takes-all. Connors won the match in quaternity sets. Connors ended his line of work relationship with Riordan later pretend 1975.^[3]

Connors played Newcombe six matches listed on the ATP site, with Newcombe winning the prime two meetings on grass (1973 US Open quarterfinal and 1975 Australian Open final) and Connors winning the last four executing indoor carpet (WCT Aetna Globe Cup 1976 and 1978) build up hard courts (1978 Sydney Inside quarterfinal and 1979 Hong Kong round of 16).^[49] Connors won all three meetings with Nudge Laver in tour events,^[50] spellbind when Laver was at lowest 37 years old.

John McEnroe

Main article: Connors–McEnroe rivalry

In the 1980 WCT Finals, Connors defeated nobleness defending champion, John McEnroe. Respect 1982, at age 29, Connors was back in the Suburb singles final, where he palpable McEnroe, who by then was established firmly as the world's top player. Connors recovered outlandish being three points away overexert defeat in a fourth-set tie-break (at 3–4) to win leadership match, 3–6, 6–3, 6–7, 7–6, 6–4, and claimed his subsequent Wimbledon title, eight years later his first.

Although Connors's trek record against McEnroe was 14–20^[51] McEnroe is 6½ years previous than Connors and had nifty losing record against Connors in the offing he won 12 out forfeit their last 14 meetings. Purpose to head in major backing finals, they split their a handful of meetings, Connors winning the 1982 Wimbledon in five sets, point of view McEnroe winning the 1984 Suburbia in straight sets.

McEnroe won six of their nine meetings in Grand Slam events. Connors described his rivalry with McEnroe in a newspaper article nucleus 1987 by saying "We went at it on and drive back the court. That was by reason of we were fire and feeling, we were so similar. Attain are."^[45]

Ivan Lendl

Main article: Connors–Lendl rivalry

Connors defeated another of the take forward generation of tennis stars, Ivan Lendl, in the 1982 Prudent Open final and soon regained the No.

1 ranking. Connors had a tour record tactic 13–22 against Lendl,^[52] but Lendl is eight years younger outweigh Connors and had a forfeiture record against Connors until bankruptcy won their last 17 matches from 1984 through 1992, sustenance Connors's prime. Head to mind in major championship finals, Connors defeated Lendl in both meetings, winning the 1982 and 1983 US Open.

Connors described government rivalry with Lendl in unadorned newspaper article in 1987 wishywashy saying "Lendl and I didn’t get along, and I won a lot early. He’s won a lot later."^[45]

Maverick

In 1974, Connors and Riordan began filing lawsuits against the ATP and sheltered president, Arthur Ashe, for professedly restricting his freedom in integrity game.

The lawsuits stemmed exotic the French Open banning Connors in 1974 after he abstruse signed a contract to drive at World Team Tennis (WTT) mend the Baltimore Banners. Connors was seeking to enter the Gallic Open, but the ATP stomach French officials opposed WTT being of scheduling conflicts.^[53] Just formerly the start of Wimbledon 1975 the British press reported renounce Riordan had filed lawsuits claiming damages against Arthur Ashe talented ATP secretary Bob Briner.

Ashe had criticised Connors in trim letter as “seemingly unpatriotic” affection playing lucrative ‘challenge’ matches, somewhat than joining the U.S. Statesman Cup team and Briner challenging called Riordan, a “nihilist”.^[54] Connors dropped Riordan (and the lawsuits) in November 1975.^[55]

At Wimbledon sidewalk 1977, he declined to have a hand in in a parade of plague champions to celebrate the tournament's centenary, choosing instead to rummage around in the grounds with Ilie Nastase while the parade took place.

In 2000, he besides declined to join a bunch of 58 former champions retained to mark the millennium. Distort his 2013 autobiography, Connors blessed his missing the 1977 vaunt on the All England Baton for not letting his physician onto the grounds so prowl Connors could try on first-class customized splint for a ovolo injury.

Connors explained that that necessitated his rushing to encounter the doctor at the access to the grounds, and misuse convincing Nastase to help him try out the splint muddle a practice court. By Connors' account, he then rushed relax Centre Court for the make a display of, but was too late.^[56]

Connors besides irritated sponsors and tennis administration by shunning the end-of-year Poet championship from 1974 through 1976.

However, he entered this round-robin competition in 1977 when proceed moved to New York Genius. Although Connors lost a eminent late-night match to Vilas, lighten up took the title by defeating Borg in the final.

In a semi final of systematic tournament at Boca Raton occupy February 1986 against Ivan Lendl, Connors protested what he articulated was a bad line bell in the sixth game lay into the fifth set that gave Lendl a 3-2, 40-0 deduct.

Umpire Jeremy Shales, after eminent a 15-second warning, gave Connors a code-of-conduct warning for aside of game. Connors then was penalized a point giving Lendl the game and making rectitude fifth-set score 4-2 for Lendl. Connors continued to protest become peaceful refused to play. He after that was given a game scourge, making it 5-2 for Lendl.

After supervisor Ken Farrar esoteric failed to persuade Connors tackle continue play, he was defaulted. Connors insisted that he frank not quit the match. Connors told reporters the next workweek at Palm Springs. "I didn't quit, I was defaulted. Unrestrained take full credit, good gathering bad, for what I've authority.

If I'm suspended, I'll crabby go home and ride wooly horses. I was standing fixed for the rights of choose. I'll tell you, if unadorned lot of guys could net it, they would do enter. I did it because Wild thought it was right." Spruce up month after the incident, grandeur Men’s International Professional Tennis Parliament decided that Connors would properly banned for 10 weeks ahead fined $20,000 (in addition be introduced to $5,000 imposed on the dowry of the match).^[57]

Distinctions and honors

Connors is often considered among description greatest tennis players in honourableness history of the sport.^[58] Connors won a male open best record 109 singles titles.^[59] Stylishness also won 16 doubles adornments (including the men's doubles adornments at Wimbledon in 1973 pivotal the US Open in 1975).

Connors has won more matches (1,274) than any other masculine professional tennis player in significance open era. His career win–loss record was 1,274–283 for smart winning percentage of 82.4.^[60] Purify played 398 tournaments, a enigmatic until Fabrice Santoro overtook have over in 2008.^[61]

In Grand Slam Singles events, Connors reached the semifinals or better a total get into 31 times and the quarterfinals or better a total grounding 41 times, despite entering ethics Australian Open Men's Singles single twice and not entering distinction French Open Men's Singles bring five of his peak lifetime years.

The 31 semifinals explicit as a record until surpassed by Roger Federer at Suburb 2012. The 41 quarterfinals remained a record until Roger Federer surpassed it at Wimbledon 2014. Connors was the only entertainer to win the US Manage on three different surfaces: split, clay, and hard. He was also the first male sport player to win Grand Blast singles titles on three diverse surfaces: grass (1974), clay (1976), and hard (1978).

Connors was inducted into the International Sport Hall of Fame in 1998 and Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Hall of Fame in 1986. He also has a taking on the St. Louis Hoof it of Fame.^[62] In his 1979 autobiography, tennis promoter and Eminent Slam winning player Jack Kramer ranked Connors as one loosen the 21 best players accord all time.

Because of top fiery competitiveness and acrimonious negotiations with a number of nobility, he has been likened support baseball player Pete Rose.^[36] Acquit yourself 1983, Fred Perry ranked authority greatest male players of breeze time and put them staging to two categories, before Existence War II and after. Perry's modern best behind Laver: "Borg, McEnroe, Connors, Hoad, Jack Kramer, John Newcombe, Ken Rosewall, Manuel Santana".^[63]

Playing style

In the modern era retard power tennis, Connors' style center play has often been insignificant as highly influential, especially connect the development of the people backhand.

Larry Schwartz on ESPN.com said about Connors, "His largest weapons were an indomitable anima, a two-handed backhand and nobility best service return in distinction game. It is difficult talk to say which was more helpful in Connors becoming a champion. ... Though smaller than most commemorate his competitors, Connors didn't live it bother him, making recharge for a lack of standing with determination."^[64] Of his make public competitive nature Connors has vocal, "[T]here's always somebody out near who's willing to push clever that extra inch, or mil, and that was me.

(Laughter) I didn't care if unequivocal took me 30 minutes exalt five hours. If you clued up me, you had to quip the best, or the unexcelled you had that day. Nevertheless that was my passion avoidable the game. If I won, I won, and if Funny lost, well, I didn't tools it so well."^[2]

His on-court capers, designed to get the aggregation involved, both helped and call names his play.

Schwartz said, "While tennis fans enjoyed Connors's abrasive style and his never-say-die seek, they often were shocked newborn his antics. His sometimes uncultivated on-court behavior—like giving the nip 2 to a linesman after separate with a call or swash about the court with high-mindedness tennis racket handle between fillet legs; sometimes he would hitch on the handle in first-class grotesque manner and his fans would go wild or lamentation in disapproval—did not help rule approval rating.

During the inconvenient part of his career, Connors frequently argued with umpires, linesmen, the players union, Davis Mug 1 officials and other players. Lighten up was even booed at Wimbledon—a rare show of disapproval there—for snubbing the Parade of Champions on the first day grounding the Centenary in 1977."^[64] Government brash behavior both on soar off the court earned him a reputation as the rascal of the tennis world.

Sport commentator Bud Collins nicknamed Connors the "Brash Basher of Belleville" after the St Louis village where he grew up.^[65] Connors himself thrived on the competence of the crowd, positive takeover negative, and manipulated and illused it to his advantage lead to many of the greatest matches of his career.^[66]

Connors was outright to hit the ball classification the rise by his teaching-pro mother, Gloria Connors, a style he used to defeat representation opposition in the early stage of his career.

Gloria hurl her son to Southern Calif. to work with Pancho Segura at the age of 16. Segura advanced Connors' game aristocratic hitting the ball on significance rise which enabled Connors come to get reflect the power and quickness of his opponents back pass on them. In the 1975 Suburbia final, Arthur Ashe countered that strategy by taking the speed off the ball, giving Connors only soft junk shots (dinks, drop shots, and lobs) get hit.

In an era considering that the serve and volley was the norm, Björn Borg relieved, Connors was one of birth few players to hit say publicly ball flat, low, and primarily from the baseline. Connors dismantle his forehand with a semi-Western grip and with little furnish clearance.^[67] Contemporaries such as President Ashe and commentators such orang-utan Joel Drucker characterized his forehanded as his greatest weakness, mainly on extreme pressure points, owing to it lacked the safety lip of hard forehands hit junk topspin.

His serve, while pedantic and capable, was never clean up great weapon for him although it did not reach interpretation velocity and power of crown opponents.

His lack of a- dominating serve and net operation, combined with his individualist interest group and maverick tendencies, meant roam he was not as work in doubles as he was in singles, although he sincere win Grand Slam titles touch Ilie Năstase, reached a ending with Chris Evert, and increased 16 doubles titles during enthrone career.

Racket evolution

At a always when most other tennis pros played with wooden rackets, Connors used the "Wilson T2000" construct racket, which utilized a manner for stringing that had antique devised and patented by Lacoste in 1953.^[68][69] He played comprise this chrome tubular steel be there for until 1984, when most hit pros had shifted to newfound racket technologies, materials, and designs.^[69]

At the Tokyo Indoor in Oct 1983, Connors switched to spick new mid-size graphite racket, rendering Wilson ProStaff, that had archaic designed especially for him settle down he used it on magnanimity 1984 tour.^[70] But 1985 take back found Connors playing with description T2000.

In 1987, he at length switched to a graphite hubbub when he signed a arrangement with Slazenger to play their Panther Pro Ceramic. In 1990, Connors signed with Estusa.^[69]

Connors inoperative lead tape which he would wind around the racket purpose to provide the proper "feel" for his style of undertaking.

Connors did commentary with NBC-TV in 1990 and 1991, next to its coverage of the Land Open and Wimbledon tournaments.

Mid the Wimbledon tournaments of 2005, 2006, and 2007, Connors commentated for the BBC alongside Can McEnroe (among others), providing moments of heated discussion between duo former archrivals. Connors returned ordain BBC commentary at Wimbledon regulate 2014. Connors has also served as a commentator and go into spasm for the Tennis Channel thanks to the US Open tournament clench 2009.^[71]

Coaching

On July 24, 2006, finish the start of the General Classic tournament in Los Angeles, American tennis player Andy Roddick announced his partnership with Connors as his coach.

In Sep, 2006 Roddick reached the terminating of the U.S. Open, vicinity he lost to Roger Federer. On March 6, 2008, Roddick announced the end of dump 19-month relationship.

In July 2013 former women's world No. 1 Maria Sharapova announced on unqualified website that Connors was recede new coach. On August 15, 2013, Sharapova confirmed that she had ended the partnership discharge Connors after just one equivalent together.

Author

In 2013, Connors publicized his autobiography The Outsider. Well off won the British Sports Hard-cover Awards in the "Best Autobiography/Biography" category.^[72]

Personal life

Connors was engaged success fellow tennis pro Chris Evert from 1974 to 1975, courier they each triumphed in primacy singles events at the 1974 Wimbledon Championships, a feat named "The Lovebird Double" by nobleness media.

Their engagement was precarious off shortly before the 1975 Wimbledon championship. Connors and Evert briefly reconciled in 1976 stomach 1978, before parting for acceptable. In May 2013, Connors wrote his autobiography in which subside alleged that Evert was enceinte with their child and make certain she unilaterally made the elect to have an abortion.^[73][74][75]

Former Wintry WorldMarjorie Wallace was engaged accept Connors from 1976 to 1977, but in 1979 Connors marital Playboy model Patti McGuire.

They have two children, son Brett and daughter Aubree, and existent in the Santa Barbara, Calif., area.^[76][77]

In the fall of 1988, Connors auditioned to host high-mindedness NBC daytime version of Wheel of Fortune, a show delightful which he and his helpmeet "never missed an episode".^[78] Dispel, the job went to Rolf Benirschke.

According to show maker Merv Griffin, many news outlets tried to get their anodyne on Connors' audition tape, nevertheless Griffin refused to release quarrel because he said "it wouldn't have been fair to Jimmy."^[79]

In the 1990s, he joined surmount brother John as an patron in the Argosy Gaming Resting on, which owned riverboat casinos lies the Mississippi River.

The figure owned 19 percent of blue blood the gentry company which was headquartered export East Alton, Illinois, in class St. Louismetropolitan area.^[80] Argosy by the skin of one\'s teeth averted bankruptcy in the provide lodgings 1990s and Connors' brother Bog personally sought Chapter 7 defeat.

In the liquidation, Connors, check his company, Smooth Swing, obtained the Alystra Casino in Henderson, Nevada, for $1.9 million from Combination Planters Bank, which had foreclosed on John. In 1995, Can Connors had opened the cards with announced plans to protract a Jimmy Connors theme area.^[81] It was shuttered in 1998 and became a magnet purport the homeless and thieves who stripped its copper piping.

Rectitude casino never reopened under Connors' ownership and it was rakish in a May 2008 fire.^[82]

In October 2005, Connors had work out hip-replacement surgery at Cedars-Sinai Therapeutic Center in Los Angeles.^[83]

On Jan 8, 2007, Connors' mother Gloria died at age 82.^[84]

On Nov 21, 2008, Connors was hinder outside an NCAA basketball effort between the University of Northernmost Carolina at Chapel Hill ride the University of California warrant Santa Barbara after refusing come to comply with an order kindhearted leave an area near rectitude entrance to the stadium.^[85] Probity charges were dismissed by out judge on February 10, 2009.^[86][87]

On July 24, 2018, LiveWire Ergogenics, Inc.

announced that Connors one the firm as a champion and advisor. The company focuses on special purpose real landed estate acquisitions and the licensing duct management of fully compliant guard production facilities for cannabis-based concoctions and services.^[88]

In December 2019, Connors appeared as himself on interval 18 episode 9 of Family Guy titled Christmas Is Coming.^[89]

Career statistics

Main article: Jimmy Connors continuance statistics

Singles performance timeline

W

F

SF

QF

#R

RR

Q#

DNQ

A

NH

(W) winner; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) end 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (DNQ) did not qualify; (A) absent; (NH) not held; (SR) strike rate (events won Gramophone record competed); (W–L) win–loss record.

• Australian Open was held twice suspend 1977, in January and Dec. Connors did not play these tournaments.

Records

Time span	Selected Grand Dash tournament records	Players matched
1974	100% (20–0) match winning percentage pulse 1 season	Rod Laver
1972 Wimbledon — 1991 Wimbledon	107 grass court match wins	Stands alone
1974–1985	12 consecutive years with gala winning percentage of 80%+	Stands alone
1974 US Open	Shortest final (by life and number of games) vs. Ken Rosewall[b][91]	Stands alone

Time span	Other selected records	Players matched
1972–1989	109 career titles[93]	Stands alone
1972–1989	48 WCT titles	Stands alone
1971–1989	164 career finals	Stands alone
1970–1995	1274 duration matches won[95]	Stands alone
1970–1996	1557 career matches played	Stands alone
1973	9 hard court honours in 1 season	Roger Federer
1974	4 peach court titles in 1 season	Stands alone
1972–1989	53 career indoor titles	Stands alone
1972–1989	79 career indoor finals	Stands alone[96]
1972–1984	45 furnishings court titles	Stands alone
1970–1993	486 indoor reservation wins	Stands alone
1970–1991	392 carpet court counterpart wins	Stands alone
1973–1984	12 consecutive years information flow match winning percentage of 80%+	Stands alone
1972–1980	9 consecutive years winning 5+ titles	Stands alone
1972–1984	13 consecutive years attractive 4+ titles	Stands alone
1973–1978	4 years winsome 10+ titles	Ivan Lendl
1974–1975	2 winning streaks of 35+ matches	Björn Borg Roger Federer
1974	44 consecutive sets won	Stands alone
1975–1978	3 calendar years as wire-to-wire Negation. 1	Roger Federer
1973–1984	Ended 12 ordered years ranked inside the specially 3	Stands alone
1973–1986	651 consecutive weeks ranged inside the top 4	Stands alone
1973–1986	659 consecutive weeks ranked inside nobleness top 5	Stands alone
1976–1980	4 U.S. In favor of Indoor singles titles	Rod Laver John McEnroe Pete Sampras
1973–1984	4 Los Angeles Open singles titles	Andre Agassi Roy Emerson Frank Parker

Professional awards

See also

Notes

References