Jimmy Connors, a former World No.1 tennis player, is renowned for his impressive record of eight Grand Slam singles titles. Holding the No. 1 ranking for a remarkable 160 consecutive weeks, he established himself as a dominant force in his era. Notably, Connors became the first male player in the Open Era to maintain the top world ranking for over five years. From a young age, he displayed a natural talent for the sport, nurtured by his mother, a former tennis player herself. With her unwavering support, Connors excelled in national competitions from the age of nine. Known for his powerful arms, relentless energy, and unwavering dedication, he was equally infamous for his fiery temperament. Following his retirement, Connors transitioned into a successful career as a commentator and coach.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: James Scott Connors
- Age: 71 Years, 71 Year Old Males
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Patti McGuire
- Father: James Connors
- Mother: Gloria Thompson
- Siblings: John Connors
- Children: Aubree Connors, Brett Connors
- Quotes By Jimmy Connors
- Tennis Players
- U.S. State: Illinois
Childhood & Early Life
James Scott Connors, Jr. was born to James Connors and Gloria Thompson. His father worked as a toll bridge attendant and his mother was a former tennis player. He has one elder brother, Johnny. Connors was primarily raised by his mother and grandmother and was taught to play tennis from a young age. He inherited his mother’s passion for the sport. He was initially coached by his mother and later mentored by Pancho Segura from 1968 to groom him for a professional tennis career.
Career
Connors had his first significant victory in 1970 when he defeated Roy Emerson in the first round of the Pacific Southwest Open in Los Angeles. He was attending the University of California, Los Angeles at the time but decided to drop out to pursue a professional tennis career. He turned pro in 1972 and refused to join the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), showcasing his rebellious nature. In 1973, he played against Arthur Ashe in the U.S. Pro Singles and won in a five-set final. This marked the beginning of his rise to stardom in the tennis world.
In 1974, Connors had a great year, winning three Grand Slam tournaments—the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open. He was named the No.1 male tennis player that year. From 1974, he reached the final of the U.S. Open in five consecutive years and won three of them, each on a different surface—grass in 1974, clay in 1976, and hard in 1978. His success continued into the 1980s, defeating John McEnroe in the World Championship Tennis (WCT) finals in 1980. He faced tough competition from players like McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, and Björn Borg. Despite age and health issues, Connors proved his skills by defeating Aaron Krickstein in the 1991 U.S. Open Semifinals. He played his last match in April 1996 and retired as a tennis player. During his later years as a player, he also started commentating on NBC-TV.
Personal Life & Legacy
Connors embarked on a coaching career in 2006, coaching Andy Roddick. He published his autobiography, ‘The Outsider’, in 2013, which won the British Sports Book Awards in the Best Autobiography/Biography category. He is married to former Playboy model Patti McGuire and they have two children.
Awards & Achievements
Connors won eight Grand Slam singles titles and two Grand Slam doubles titles. He was the first male player to hold the No. 1 rank in world tennis. In 1982, he was named the World Champion by The International Tennis Federation (ITF). He received the Player of the Year Award from The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) in 1982 and the Comeback Player of the Year Award from the same organization in 1991.
Trivia
Connors was notorious for his brash, rude, and often vulgar on-court behavior.