Del Potro to polish grass game at Queen's Club Nov 21, 2009
John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Boris Becker, Pete Sampras, and all have won the Wimbledon men's singles title after winning the title at Queen's. The Wimbledon warmup event is scheduled for June 7-13. (ESPN -- Tennis)
St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame to start Nov 18, 2009
Among the honorees: Cardinals greats Stan Musial, Lou Brock, Bob Gibson, Red Schoendienst and Ozzie Smith; track star Jackie Joyner-Kersee; tennis star Jimmy Connors; and football standouts Dan Dierdorf and Larry Wilson. Published: Tuesday, November 17, 2009. (Park Hills Daily Journal, MO)
Prize money milestones Nov 4, 2009
By winning the 1982 Wimbledon title, Navratilova became the all-time prize money leader in tennis, overtaking both Chris Evert and Jimmy Connors, a mantle she held until 1989. Later that year, she became the first female player to pass US$1mil in a single season finishing with US$1,475,055. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
JonWertheimTennis Mailbag Another reason to admire Roger Federer and more from the 'bag. Oct 2, 2009
Am I off to say Jordan's rancor is akin to that of Jimmy Connors. Connors did not attend the opening of Arthur Ashe Stadium in 1997. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Crass, not class, rules these days Sep 16, 2009
John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors and Ilie Nastase take backseats to no one when it came to crossing sportsmanship boundaries. But even their frequent outbursts never reached the point of threatening bodily harm to a line judge (though who knows what Nastase was bellowing in Hungarian). (The Augusta Chronicle)
Serena’s tantrum part of a disappointing trend Sep 16, 2009
Sadly, the paradigm for crabbiness was established in the sport s golden decade of the 1970s by two of our greatest competitors and biggest blockheads Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe. Mac was by far the worst. (Green Valley News & Sun, AZ)
Joe PosnanskiVIEWPOINT Sep 15, 2009
Then I would imagine being at the U.S. Open facing Jimmy Connors. Then I would imagine hitting the ball so hard that it would knock back the bricks, a millimeter at a time -- WHACK. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Tennis)
Celizic: Serenas fine, loss enough punishment Sep 14, 2009
Threatening to stuff a tennis ball down a line judges throat is the sort of stuff we hoped went out when Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe retired. As with all tennis meltdowns, it was pretty ugly. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Serena's behavior absolutely inexcusable Sep 14, 2009
Johnny Mac and Jimmy Connors would not have made my list either. How can you ask a child to admire an athlete for the very behavior that you would dock their pocket money for. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
From Boston to Braodway Sep 14, 2009
Guests at the Tennis Hall of Fame benefit included Whoopi Goldberg, Monica Seles, Jimmy Connors, and Robin Roberts, who emceed the festivities. Also joining the party were two of the Real Housewives of New York City - Jill Zarin and Ramona Singer, who were nice enough to bring their husbands. (Boston Globe)
Wozniacki ends Oudin's 'Cinderella' run Sep 10, 2009
She has also matched the best run by a wildcard at New York, matching Jimmy Connors, who reached the semis in 1991. But she will go into her match against Serena Williams with the statistics against her, having won just one of eight clashes against the world number two. (CNN -- International)
Super mum Clijsters into semi-finals Sep 9, 2009
The win and semi-final place meant Clijsters equalled the best recorded run by a wildcard, man or woman, at the US Open, matching Jimmy Connors in 1991. The defeat was a heavy blow for Li, who was bidding to become just the second Chinese player ever to reach a Grand Slam semi-final, matching Zheng Jie's wildcard run into the Wimbledon last four in 2008. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Celizic: Male-ing it in U.S. mens tennis dismal Sep 9, 2009
Since the Roaring Twenties, we've had Bill Tilden, Tony Trabet, Pancho Gonzalez, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Agassi and Sampras. Then it ended, as if lightning struck the games power supply. (MSNBC -- Sports)
THE TO-DO LIST: 10 things you should check out this week Sep 8, 2009
On perhaps the most famous Super Saturday in U.S. Open history, John McEnroe edged Jimmy Connors on his way to the 1984 title. Manny Millan/SI. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Saturday Night Live -- At The Open Sep 7, 2009
On the air (radio), Tennis Channel analysts Jimmy Connors and Martina Navratilova talked about how it looked as if Isner was cramping. They also said the match might be decided by one of the players veering from their power arsenals that saw John (yes, he;s 6;9; not 6;7;, and just to further illuminate for the expert who was loudly standing to our right, it takes at least seven points - not six - with an edge of two to win a tiebreak) spank 38 aces and 18 forehand winners to 20 and 11 for Andy. (Multichannel News)
McEnroe, Connors stir fans with hitting session Sep 6, 2009
Yes, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors - Johnny Mac and Jimbo - trading shots, just like in the old days. "Definitely brings back a few good memories,'' McEnroe said. Not just for them. The usual crowd of about 200 fans that gathers near the exit of the practice courts, looking for players and autographs, started buzzing when it became clear there was something more than routine going on out there. Indeed, this was a rare treat. McEnroe said it was only the second time they had hit in the last... (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Tennis)
It's McEnroe vs. Connors again at U.S. Open Sep 5, 2009
Yes, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors - Johnny Mac and Jimbo - trading shots, just like in the old days. "Definitely brings back a few good memories," McEnroe said. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Late and cool - tennis in N.Y. Sep 3, 2009
-- Solid broadcasting team on the Tennis Channel (217 on DirecTV): Ted Robinson, Jimmy Connors and Justin Gimelstob. -- Another reason to have DirecTV: The "mix" channel (701) shows you six screens at once, allowing easy access to matches in progress, news conferences and the ESPN2 coverage. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Jon WertheimINSIDE TENNIS Sep 2, 2009
Under the lights, in front of a raucous NYC crowd, who wins a semifinal matchup between 2009 Federer and Jimmy Connors in his prime. -- Mike Mutka, Apex, N.C.. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Tennis)
Bruce Jenkins' U.S. Open preview Sep 1, 2009
Nobody in history, not even Jimmy Connors, attacked the sport with such fury or commitment. Each point poised a massive challenge for Rafa, even in practice, or in the final set of a runaway victory. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Questions & Answers: Jimmy Connors Aug 30, 2009
Questions rs: Jimmy Connors. Few American tennis players of the last half-century are more closely associated with the U.S. Open than Jimmy Connors. (Daytona Beach News Journal -- Sports)
Know your tennis? Try this U.S. Open quiz Aug 29, 2009
Fourth Round: When it rains during the U.S. Open, broadcasters invariably trot out footage of 39-year-old Jimmy Connors' stirring, five-set victory over Aaron Krickstein in the fourth round of the 1991 tournament. What they don't show: Connors' semifinal loss that year. (MSNBC -- Sports)
10 Questions for Andy Roddick Aug 28, 2009
I was able to catch the tail end of John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors and lived through the golden age of American tennis with Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras and Jim Courier and Michael Chang. Even cooler than that, I've been able to establish a relationship with most of them. (Time.com)
McEnroe: Federer greatest ever Aug 28, 2009
McEnroe says people will look fondly back on the days when he and Jimmy Connors would fight with the ump. -- McEnroe strongly believes Plaxico Burress' sentence was too harsh. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Roger And Serena Look To Defend Open Titles Aug 27, 2009
Note: Legends Jimmy Connors and Pete Sampras also own five U.S. Open titles in the Open Era. they just didn't come in succession. (ABC 7 News, DC)
'Open' Season in N.Y. Aug 24, 2009
30), ESPN Classic will offer a 12-hour marathon of great matches from the championships, culminating with Jimmy Connors celebrating his 39th birthday with a five-set victory over Aaron Krickstein to reach the 1991 quarterfinals ... Speaking of hall of famers, Tennis' on-air Open team is led by analysts Martina Navratilova and Jimmy Connors and host Bill Macatee, who together will call matches from the main court at Arthur Ashe Stadium and other courts. (Multichannel News)
Drivers put up with pain Aug 16, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009. Search stories on N&O.com. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Golf at its compelling best - with Woods in the zone and on thehunt Aug 15, 2009
The late Vitas Gerulaitis, face like a Cadillac, white shorts, angel-dust shirt, the hair of Samson, socks up to his calves, girl in every port and almost comical inability to beat Jimmy Connors, used to be a hero in these parts. And let that be a lesson to you all,'' Gerulaitis roared when he defeated Connors after 16 straight losses. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Capital Gains Aug 5, 2009
That was Andre Agassi, who claimed, "Image is Everything'' -- a slogan critics said defined the me-first attitude of the '90s tennis star. In context, it's probably a fair characterization of the past two decades. But does anybody else find the omission from the entire discussion of Andy Roddick, one of the most consistent presences on the ATP Tour over the past eight years, a glaring one? The 26-year-old might not be a transcendent superstar on the level of a John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors or... (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Tennis)
Series of sports movies plucked from left field Jul 27, 2009
William Klein's "The French" goes behind the scenes at the 1981 French Open - Bjorn Borg and Jimmy Connors handling their fans, Chris Evert getting her sore feet taped up, Martina Navratilova and Ilie Nastase joking around and, of course, a John McEnroe meltdown. Perhaps the most compelling figure is the forgotten Yannick Noah, who would win the French Open two years later and is now a pop singer in France. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Federer ready to adjust after wife gives birth to twin girls Jul 25, 2009
Eight men have played their way to the winner's circle in majors after becoming dads, but only Jimmy Connors managed to do so more than once. Connors, who reached the 1991 U.S. Open semifinals at 39, captured three of his eight majors following the birth of his son, Brett, in 1979. (USA Today -- Sports)
Watson shows age is just a number Jul 20, 2009
"As with Watson, some of the most captivating achievements by supposedly over-the-hill athletes were also near-misses.At age 39, still-fiery and wildly popular Jimmy Connors made a stirring run to the semifinals at the 1991 U.S. Open eight years after winning the last of his eight Grand Slam titles. Torres settled for three silver medals at last year's Beijing Olympics, losing out on gold in her lone individual event by a mere hundredth of a second. A 50-year-old French cyclist just missed a... (MSNBC -- Sports)
Tale of the tape Jul 16, 2009
By Mike Bambach, Reid Cherner and Gene Farris, USA TODAY You're up Tiger. Tiger Woods' tennis playing buddy Roger Federer won his 15th major this month in the United Kingdom at Wimbledon, passing Pete Sampras' career record. (USA Today -- Sports)
JoePosnanskiViewpoint It's an impossible debate. Who's more dominant: Tiger or Roger? Jul 9, 2009
Andre Agassi's longest streak was four, John McEnroe's and Jimmy Connors' longest streaks were three (in part because they both skipped the Australian Open most of their careers). No, you probably won't get anywhere on the tennis versus golf track either. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Magill: Roddick nearly followed brother to play in Athens Jul 7, 2009
Brad Gilbert (Pepperdine, NCAA runner-up in Athens in 1982) and Jimmy Connors (UCLA, NCAA champion in 1971 at Notre Dame) both tutored Roddick. His current coach Larry Stefanki, former University of California star, is renowned as coaching former world No. 1-ranked players Marcelo Rios (Chile) and Yevgeny Kafelnikov (Russia). (Athens Banner-Herald)
Federer outlasts Roddick for record 15th Grand Slam Jul 6, 2009
Jimmy Connors 1 - 2 5 8. Ivan Lendl 2 3 - 3 8. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Major record Jul 6, 2009
1982: Jimmy Connors def ... Jimmy Connors, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Federer's grand slam wins Jul 6, 2009
Ken Rosewall, at 39, had been the previous oldest finalist against Jimmy Connors in 1974. 2006 Australian Open - bt Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) 5-7, 7-5, 6-0, 6-2 - Unseeded Baghdatis, 20, the world number 54 gives Federer a scare when he wins first set and goes a break up in the second. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Breaking down Federer's career Jul 6, 2009
2), Jimmy Connors (82. 6), Ivan Lendl (81. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
The poster boy for grace under pressure Jul 2, 2009
Frankly, I ve always preferred the cool guys and gals over the hot bloods - Arthur Ashe over Jimmy Connors, the Australian men and women of the 60s and 70s over anybody except Ashe. But no athlete has been as fun to watch as Federer, running the baseline and hitting a ball seemingly out of reach for a perfect cross-court winner, serving with pin-point accuracy, disguising his shot till the last possible moment, and saving the best for clutch moments. (Boston Globe)
Roddick's time? Jul 2, 2009
It seemed then as if the torch of American tennis, a flame that had been through the hands of Pete Sampras, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors, had been safely handed off to Roddick. With another young star, James Blake, also coming of age, it seemed as if American men would continue to matter in tennis. (MSNBC -- Sports)
We've loved our Cardinals for years (2) Jun 29, 2009
Some of the most successful athletes in the world were raised and trained in the St. Louis area, including: Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Olympic track and field star; the NBA's Larry Hughes and "Easy Ed" Macauley; Yogi Berra, three-time American League MVP; Jimmy Connors, former Wimbledon and U.S. Open tennis champion; Michael and Leon Spinks, World Heavyweight Boxing champions; Hale Irwin, U.S. Open golf champion; and Craig Virgin, Olympic medalist in distance running. However, baseball is believed to... (Park Hills Daily Journal, MO)
Jenkins: Wimbledon's greatest Jun 29, 2009
Jimmy Connors, 6-1, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4, men's final, 1975: The master of restraint against the loud-mouthed street fighter - and Connors, the defending champion, had beaten Ashe in all three previous meetings. On the eve of the final, Ashe gathered with Dennis Ralston, Erik van Dillen, Donald Dell and Charlie Pasarell to devise a deliberate, pace-off strategy that would offset Connors' power. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
* Game, set and grunt: Wimbledon is all ears Jun 23, 2009
Jimmy Connors grunted his way to eight grand slam victories in the 1970s and 80s. Ivan Lendl complained that Andre Agassis grunting put him off. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Quiet Please: Will Tennis Pros Give Up the Grunt? Jun 22, 2009
Some commentators point out that male grunters, such as Jimmy Connors and current pro Fernando Gonzales, don't face the same criticisms. Indeed, since Monica Seles kicked off the grunting debate in 1990, British tabloids have reveled in its sexual undertones. (Time.com)
Finally healthy, Dent ready to resurface at Wimbledon Jun 20, 2009
John McEnroe made it to a Centre Court semifinal against Jimmy Connors in 1977. Boris Becker reached the third round in 1984 at 16 and Pat Rafter did it in 1993. (Boston Globe)
He's made a major mark in his sport Jun 16, 2009
Someone who cathartically willed Jimmy Connors' shots over the net during his epic run at the 1991 U.S. Open. The reasons for my indifference are very specific. (Erie Times-News, PA)
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's 24th Annual Sports Spectacular Set for Sunday, June 7, 2009 Jun 2, 2009
Over the years, the event has honored many of the greatest athletes of all time, including Muhammad Ali, Baron Davis, Jerome Bettis, Jimmy Connors, Wayne Gretzky, Joe DiMaggio, Joe Montana, Tony Hawk, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Vin Scully, Shaquille O'Neal, Willie Shoemaker, Pete Carroll, and John Wooden, among many others. This year's celebration will take place at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on Sunday, June 7, 2009. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Hewitt ready to come out swinging May 29, 2009
The Sydney Morning Herald: national, world, business, entertainment, sport and technology news from Australia's leading newspaper. Not to be underestimated. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Fourth time lucky for Federer in Paris? May 25, 2009
Roger Federer11: Bjrn Borg8: Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl. FRENCH OPEN. (SwissInfo.org, Switzerland)
Jon WertheimTENNIS MAILBAG May 7, 2009
How about a "tributito'' to Guillermo Coria, who retired last week? He was up two sets to love and two match points in his favor at the 2004 French Open final against Gaston Gaudio, but a couple of Gaudio's shots on those match points were an inch or two from being out. Coria was never the same again after that match. One wonders how much differently his life would have turned out if one of those balls were out. -- Ian Katz, Herndon, Va. Amen. A fine career from a player who compensated for a... (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
BILL SPELTZ: Scar tissue, soft bellies and Tiger Apr 12, 2009
Back in the 1970s when men's professional tennis was booming in this country, it was because guys like Jimmy Connors would get mad enough to bite the handle off a T2000 when they lost. Fire up some old YouTube footage of Connors battling John McEnroe or Bjorn Borg and note the blood in Connors' eyes. (Missoulian, MT)
Baby may disturb Federer's Grand Slam dreams Apr 2, 2009
Jimmy Connors was the only singles player to successfully combine family life with playing on the tour in that time, winning three of his eight majors after the birth of his son Brett in August 1979. For the likes of John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl and Stefan Edberg, the titles dried up as soon as they gingerly cradled the new additions to their families. (ESPN -- Tennis)
at Indian Wells Tennis Garden BNP Paribas Open to begin March 9 Mar 6, 2009
A win would bring them into the distinguished company of Agassi, Sampras, Jim Courier, Michael Chang and Jimmy Connors, all who have won the tournament, some even multiple times. 5. (Desert Entertainer, CA)
Nadal, Murray set up grand finale at ABN Ambro Feb 15, 2009
It will be first Rotterdam final between the top two seeds since 1984, but Ivan Lendl and Jimmy Connors didn't play because of a bomb scare. Despite nursing a minor injury to his right foot, Murray dispatched Ancic with four breaks, and saved all three break points he faced. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Tennis)
