“We both ran the other way": Jimmy Connors-John McEnroe coaching partnership nearly happened in 1990"
ATPWednesday, 28 February 2024 at 20:30
Jimmy
Connors mentioned that after his retirement, he was close to coaching John
McEnroe. Both players had a rivalry that ended 20-14 in favor of Big Mac,
including two Grand Slam finals (1-1) and 14 finals in total (7-7).
Connors
began his career in 1972 and in 1990 was on the brink of permanent retirement,
as he played only three matches, lost them all, and fell to world No. 936.
Although he made a comeback in 1991 after surgery, there was the possibility of
coaching McEnroe, who was going through a difficult time in his career.
By 1990,
McEnroe had already won his 7 Grand Slam titles, the last two at Wimbledon and
the US Open in 1984, and by 1990, his stellar results were behind him.
McEnroe's usual controversies during his career reached a breaking point when
he was suspended at the 1990 Australian Open for intimidating the umpire,
smashing his racket, and verbally abusing her.
Not only
did he face that suspension, but in his later years, McEnroe took several
breaks in his career, stepping away from tennis for months before returning and
finding his best form. According to Connors, McEnroe's sabbatical years worked
against him when competing with the emerging new stars.
"Mac
had gone on sabbaticals and taken 3 months off, 6 months off, and then tried to
come back and kind of go through that. That's hard to do when the other guys
are forging forward," Connors said on the Advantage Connors podcast.
In 1990,
McEnroe commented on a possible partnership between the two, but it never
materialized: "So when Mac said would I coach him, I said 'Yeah sure, I'll
do it,' but as soon as that interview was over I think we both ran the other
way," Jimmy Connors
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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