Jimmy Connors
American tennis great with Open Era records for titles and wins.
James Scott Connors, born September 2, 1952, is an American former professional tennis player who also worked as an author, commentator, and coach. He spent 268 weeks as the ATP’s world No. 1 in men’s singles—the fifth-longest stretch in history—and ended five different seasons atop the rankings. His fierce, combative style defined his career. Connors still holds three major Open Era records for men’s singles: 109 tournament titles, 1,557 matches played, and 1,274 match wins. Among those titles are eight Grand Slam singles victories: a joint Open Era record of five US Opens, two Wimbledons, and one Australian Open, plus three year-end championships. In 1974, he became only the second man in the Open Era to win three major titles in a single calendar year; he was barred from playing the fourth, the French Open, that year. His professional playing days ended in 1996.
Connors was born on September 2, 1952, and raised in East St. Louis, Illinois, just across the Mississippi from St. Louis, Missouri, in a Catholic household. His mother, Gloria, and grandmother, Bertha, coached and trained him throughout his childhood. His father, Jim, worked as a toll bridge operator. His paternal grandfather, John Connors, served as mayor of East St. Louis from 1939 to 1951. At age nine, Connors played in his first U.S. Championship, the boys’ 11-and-under event in 1961. In 1968, his mother took him to Southern California for coaching from Pancho Segura, though she remained his primary coach and manager. He and his brother, John “Johnny” Connors, attended St. Phillip’s grade school. Connors won the Junior Orange Bowl in both the 12-and-under and 14-and-under divisions.
Connors recorded his first career match win in August 1970 at the Haverford tournament, beating Jean-Baptiste Chanfreau in the first round. At his first US Open, he lost in the opening round to Mark Cox. At the Pacific Southwest Open in Los Angeles, he defeated Roy Emerson before falling to Clark Graebner in the round of 16; the *Los Angeles Times* called him the “Cinderfella of tennis” and “the kid with a magic wand for a backhand.” In 1971, as a freshman at UCLA, he won the NCAA singles title and earned All-American honors. He reached his first ATP Tour finals that year in Columbus (losing to Tom Gorman) and Los Angeles (beating newly crowned US Open champion Stan Smith before losing to 43-year-old Pancho Gonz
- born
- September 2, 1952
- field
- Tennis
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Open Era records for 109 titles, 1,557 matches played, and 1,274 match wins; five US Open titles; 268 weeks as world No. 1
Lore & Background
Connors grew up in East St. Louis, Illinois, raised Catholic, and was coached by his mother Gloria and grandmother Bertha. His father was a toll bridge operator, and his paternal grandfather was mayor of East St. Louis from 1939 to 1951. He played his first U.S. Championship at age nine in the boys' 11-and-under in 1961, and later won the Junior Orange Bowl in both the 12- and 14-year categories. In 1968, his mother took him to Southern California to be coached by Pancho Segura, though she remained his coach and manager.
Connors turned professional in 1972 and won his first tournament, the Jacksonville Open, quickly followed by five more that year. He refused to join the newly formed ATP in 1972, instead playing smaller tournaments organized by his manager Bill Riordan. In 1974, he had a 93–4 record, winning three of four Grand Slam singles titles (Australian Open, Wimbledon, US Open) and becoming the second man in the Open Era to win three majors in a calendar year; he was not permitted to participate in the French Open. He held the ATP world No. 1 ranking from July 29, 1974, for 160 consecutive weeks, a record until surpassed by Roger Federer in 2007.
Connors reached the finals of Wimbledon and the US Open in 1975, losing both, and never played the Australian Open again after that year. He won the US Open in 1976 and 1978, and reached the final in five straight years from 1974 through 1978, winning on three different surfaces. He also captured the Masters and WCT Finals in 1977. His playing career ended in 1996.
Reader's Guide
Jimmy Connors is a central figure in tennis history, defined by his relentless competitiveness and record-setting longevity. His Open Era records for most singles titles (109), most matches played (1,557), and most match wins (1,274) underscore a career that spanned from the early 1970s to 1996. He was year-end No. 1 for five consecutive years (1974–1978) and held the top ranking for 268 weeks. His eight major titles include a joint-record five US Opens, two Wimbledons, and one Australian Open. Connors' 1974 season, in which he won three majors and posted a 93–4 record, placed him among the sport's elite, though his absence from the French Open due to a ban prevented a potential Grand Slam. His refusal to join the ATP early in his career marked him as a maverick. Later, he became a commentator and coach. His legacy is one of fierce determination and statistical dominance, particularly in the pre-Open Era and early Open Era transitions.
Did You Know?
- Connors holds Open Era men's singles records for 109 titles, 1,557 matches played, and 1,274 match wins.
- He was not permitted to participate in the French Open in 1974 due to his association with World Team Tennis.
- Connors held the ATP world No. 1 ranking for 160 consecutive weeks from July 29, 1974, a record until surpassed by Roger Federer in 2007.
- He won the US Open on three different surfaces: grass (1974), clay (1976), and hardcourt (1978).
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