Tennis Legends - Jimmy Connors: The record breaking American and final bastion on Novak Djokovic's quest for GOAT status

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have separated themselves from the rest in terms of Grand Slams won. One record this holy trinity of tennis failed to secure was the most ATP Singles Titles won. The owner of this particular record is American Jimmy Connors. His final tally of 109 singles titles remains unsurpassed.

Born James Scott Connors on September 2nd 1952, to parents Gloria and Jim, in Belleville, Illinois. His mother trained him as a youngster. Connors would triumph in the prestigious Orange Bowl junior event in the 12 and 14 year old categories. Connors turned professional in 1972, soon winning his first event at the Jacksonville Open. A further five titles were accumulated by Connors that year. He also began to cultivate a reputation as a non-conformist, refusing to join the newly founded Association of Tennis Professionals that most of his peers were joining. 

1973 was an even better year for Connors, obtaining a further eleven titles, including a five set victory over Arthur Ashe in the US Pro tournament. This was the catalyst for a rivalry with Ashe that would in a couple of years time result in litigation action between the pair.

A Grand Slam breakthrough would materialise in 1974. His first major triumph came at the Australian Open, beating compatriot home player Phil Dent in four sets. He would go on and add further Slams that season at Wimbledon and the US Open, annihilating veteran Ken Rosewall on both occasions. Across the two matches, Connors lost just eight games. In winning three Grand Slams within a calendar year, Connors became only the second player after Rod Laver to achieve this feat in the Open Era. Mats Wilander, Pete Sampras, Federer, Djokovic and Nadal are the only other male players to accomplish this since Connors. This annus mirabilis for Connors saw him win 15 titles, ultimately a seasonal high for the maverick American.

Nine more titles were added to his CV in 1975 but, in a reversal of his triple Slam success the previous year, he lost all three Grand Slam finals he played. The most debilitating of these losses was to Ashe at Wimbledon. Leading into the tournament, Connors had filed legal action against Ashe over comments made by Ashe claiming that Connors wanted Davis Cup captain Dennis Ralston fired and Connors's boycott of the competition was unpatriotic. On the day, Ashe bamboozled Connors with his strategy and beat the defending champion in four sets.

Amongst his ten titles in 1976 was a second US Open title. He would triumph in New York at a further three editions (1978, 1982 and 1983). His tally of five US Open crowns is only matched by Federer and Sampras in the Open Era. Connors owns the unique record of being the only player, male or female, to win the US Open on three different surfaces: clay, hard and grass.

Winning the US Open on clay compensates a little for never winning the French Open. The clay court major was the only one of the four biggest tournaments to elude him. Connors’ best showing at Roland Garros was four semi-final appearances, supplemented by an additional quartet of last eight appearances.

His third US Open title, in 1978, represented one of 10 titles Connors bagged that season. By now, Bjorn Borg was the game's pre-eminent player. Connors wouldn't claim another Slam until 1982. The four year wait was halted when he secured glory at Wimbledon, eight years after his first triumph at SW19. In a five-set classic, Connors edged out John McEnroe in the final. He would then continue his renaissance at the highest level by defeating Ivan Lendl to win a fourth US Open. 

The last of Connors’ octet of Grand Slams came when he beat the same opponent to retain his US Open title in 1983. His eight Slam wins came from fifteen finals. Connors participated in 57 Grand Slam Singles events, with 42 of these appearances either at Wimbledon or the US Open. He took part in the Australian Open just twice. His last Grand Slam final, in 1984, saw him the victim of a McEnroe clinic, winning just four games against his fiercest rival. The enmity between the pair was genuine and Connors resented the younger man from the outset of their h2h, one which saw him eventually trail in their personal series 20-14.

As the 1980s went into their second half Connors began to decline. He won just four further ATP titles after 1984 but played on officially until 1996, bedevilled by injuries and struggling to compete against a new power game being ushered in by the likes of Ivan Lendl and Boris Becker.

One last moment in the spotlight would come at the 1991 US Open. Connors, who turned 39 during the New York fortnight, accepted a wildcard and rolled back the years. He'd only played three matches in 1990 and was now largely inactive. After surviving a five setter in round one with Patrick McEnroe, brother of John, Connors embarked on a fairytale run to the semi-finals, taking the scalps of players such as Paul Haarhuis and Aaron Krickstein. The run was ended by Jim Courier. Connors would describe the journey as being the best eleven days of his tennis career.

Connors spent a total of 268 weeks at world number one, finishing year-end number one on five occasions. His longevity was record-breaking. Connors still holds the record for most matches played (1,557) and most matches won (1,274) in the Open Era. His record of 109 Singles titles came under threat from Federer but the Swiss maestro ended six short. Novak Djokovic captured his 100th title this season. However, the Serb is playing sparingly and has been put in his place by the Carlos Alcaraz/Jannik Sinner duopoly in the sport’s more prestigious events. Ten further titles look unlikely to be added.

The Illinois native focused on doubles in the embryonic years of his professional career primarily. Connors managed to win two Grand Slam doubles titles alongside fellow maverick Ilie Nastase (1973 Wimbledon and 1975 US Open). Additionally, Connors won 14 other titles in doubles. Following his retirement from the Main Tour, Connors then took up residency on a fledgling seniors circuit with old foe McEnroe. He didn't last as long on the tour as his old sparring partner, though. 

Connors is regarded as one of the game's best ever returners, alongside such luminaries as Andre Agassi, Djokovic and Alcaraz. He relied heavily on his baseline game, being less comfortable at the net. The fiery American also possessed outstanding competitive intensity. He enjoyed the heat of competition and pressurising opponents with mind games.

The pathway a good number follow after retirement is coaching but Connors only briefly worked in this capacity, experiencing short partnerships with Maria Sharapova and Andy Roddick. He's more recently created a successful podcast with his son that's creating headlines through Connors's punchy views. In traditional broadcast media, Connors has worked infrequently. He did work as a summariser for the BBC on Wimbledon, calling a few finals for the public service broadcaster. 

At the peak of his success, Connors was in a relationship with fellow tennis star Chris Evert. The two even lost a mixed doubles Grand Slam final. The media glare was overbearing for two young superstars and played a part in the relationship ending. Years later, in his fascinating autobiography The Outsider, Connors alleged that Evert had an abortion while they were together. Evert was angered by this accusation.

After being briefly engaged to a former Miss World, Marjorie Wallace, Connors married Playboy model Patti McGuire. They've had two children together, Brett and Aubree. Connors's mother Gloria died in 2007, aged 82, a couple of years after he'd undergone hip replacement surgery.  Connors was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1998. Another honour he received is a star on the St Louis Walk of Fame. He was twice named ATP Player of the Year, in 1974 and 1982. 

Business interests occupied Connors after he retired. In tandem with brother John, he invested in the Argosy Gaming Company. The business owned riverboat casinos on the Mississippi River. Bankruptcy was narrowly averted in the late 1990s, followed by a closure of the company.  Other TV credits included auditioning to be a host of the gameshow Wheel of Fortune and a cameo, in 2019, during an episode of the hugely popular Family Guy sitcom. 

His aforementioned autobiography, The Outsider, won an award at the British Sports Book Awards in the best autobiography/biography category. Connors remains a passionate character, unafraid of ruffling feathers in the tennis community. This is evident on the Advantage Connors podcast. Now 73, Connors fire is undimmed and could still be holding his proud record of most ATP titles at least for another decade. Alcaraz and Sinner have a great benchmark to chase.