American · East St Louis, Illinois · Born 2 September 1952Jimmy Connors is an American former professional tennis player who won 8 Grand Slam singles titles and holds the record for most weeks at world No. 1 among his era's players.
James Scott Connors was born in East St Louis, Illinois in 1952 and compiled the most prolific playing record in men's professional tennis history — playing 1,557 matches, winning 1,274 and losing 283, a win rate of 83.5%. He turned professional in 1972 and played competitively until 1996, winning 8 Grand Slam singles titles: the Australian Open (1974), Wimbledon (1974, 1982) and the US Open (1974, 1976, 1978, 1982, 1983). He spent 268 weeks as world number one. He won 109 career titles — the most in Open Era men's tennis. He served 1,470 career aces. His two-handed backhand — unusual in the early 1970s — became his most devastating weapon, and his aggressive baseline game and relentless competitive intensity made him the most durable elite player the sport has produced. He was US Open finalist as late as 1991 at 39 years old — reaching the semi-final after recovering from wrist surgery in one of the greatest late-career tournament runs in tennis history. His fierce rivalries with Björn Borg, John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl defined three decades of men's tennis. He was known for his confrontational relationship with crowds and officials, his personality as divisive as his tennis was effective.
Held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 268 consecutive weeks
He held the world No.1 ranking for 268 consecutive weeks — a record that stood until Stefan Edberg.
Did You Know?How They Played
Connors was known for his aggressive baseline game, featuring powerful two-handed backhands and precise groundstrokes. He possessed exceptional return of serve skills and was famous for his competitive fire and mental toughness on court. His flat, penetrating shots and ability to take the ball early put constant pressure on opponents.
Lasting Impact
Connors revolutionized tennis with his two-handed backhand and aggressive style, inspiring a generation of players to adopt similar techniques. His longevity and passionate approach to competition helped popularize professional tennis during its boom years in the 1970s and 1980s.
Career Honours
- Wimbledon 1974, 1982
- US Open 5 times
- Australian Open 1974
- record 109 ATP Tour singles titles
American Athletes