I met Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras. Bjorn Borg, Vitas Gerulaitis, Jim Courier, Michael Chang, Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, Jack Kramer, Jennifer Capriati, Mary Pierce, and many others and meeting Jimmy Connors was possible the best. He WAS tennis.
one of the most striking facts is that he could win playing with the T-2000 and T- 3000 rackets which were pure garbage, maybe the worst popularracket of all time,( simply popular because he was using it).
Way to go Jimmy! Very nostalgic moment. You're the main reason for the tennis explosion in America and probably the world when it gained mass popularity in the 1970s.
He brought more to the fans than just great tennis. He could be a douchebag at times, but NOBODY worked a crowd like Jimmy Connors. What a great champion.
Indeed, a true mixed bag, definitely a douche-b, but with great sporting traits. No one ever gave more on every point, save Nadal. But he was NOT a good human being most of the time in his playing career. He spit, he cheated, he crossed out ball marks, he distracted and created chaos to create his advantage. A classless, crash d.b, just ask Mac. But even Mac was more respectful to opponents..most of the time. But my god, he tried on every point, and god knows how he won matches with that horrible piece of metal he used for so many years. Just controlling that piece of garbage was something to be proud of.
@@Arturo-sm1tb "just ask Mac" Mac's probably the only one who cant afford to call the kettle black even Connors admitted Macenroe was a godsend in that "he made me look good" (an exaggeration but with truth in it)
I truly believe that Jimmy Conners is the player that began the modern era of tennis. The baseline battler with net skills and the showmanship to not just play tennis, but to be a true performer. Borg and McEnroe came in with their style and performer abilities and tennis became a true show. There was nothing sterile about tennis from 1972 to 2000. It’s gotten a bit bland the last few years. The tennis has been excellent but the personalities leave a lot to be desired.
You must be a kid. Jimmy got more attention inside and outside of tennis than Fed Rafa and Djok combined. Today's players are pretty much ignored outside of tennis.
Para mi, Jimmy Connors ha sido un jugador de excepción. Jamás se daba por vencido, su ansia de ganar le transcendia y se convertía en alguien fuera de lo normal. Su carisma ha dado al tenis una humanidad que, desgraciadamente, se encuentra ausente en las canchas actuales en donde los tenistas parecen robots sin emociones ni sentimientos. Connors ha arrastrado tras de si a las multitudes que llenaban los estadios tan solo por ver jugar al gran Jimmy. Con Connors en la pista, se sabía que el espectáculo era garantizado, tanto por la excelencia de su juego, su tesón como por sus innumerables rasgos de humor que enloquecían al público. Cuando Connors entraba en la pista era como un animal de presa dispuesto a despedazar a su víctima. Con su retirada, el tenis ha perdido brillo y espectáculo. No ha habido, ni posiblemente habrá, otro jugador como él. Gloria a Jimmy Connors que tantas tardes de maravilloso tenis nos ha brindado a lo largo de su increible carrera.
He was a Showman.The most exciting male figure, in that way, to be great on a tennis court. I think he was a jerk in So many ways but check out his stats sometime. They are very impressive
Jimmy was all class here. I bowed my head when he played against Martina allowed only one serve and doubles line but still managed beat her. For the love and respect of the game no other men was courageous enough to take that kind the risk like Jimmy. What a true warrior!
More than anyone else, Connors is the main person who brought in the big money to professional tennis. He was originally vilified by taking the stance that a check for $15,000 for winning a tournament was an insult, yet he stood his ground because he knew he was right. The guy invented the Fist Pump (every player does it after practically every key point), and even when he lost a match, he was by far the most exciting player who ever held a tennis racket.
I read his book. I have so much respect for him not only as a player but as a man. And who didn't love to watch him play, with all the emotion and intensity. I remember the first time i saw him was a full-size poster on a friend's bedroom wall when i was like 9 yrs old in 1976 and it was an awesome thing to look at. One of the greatest players ever. He gave us his all. Congratulations Jimmy, you deserve it.
They say Jimmy was arrogant and some say not a nice guy but when I was growing up I always wanted him to win regardless who he was playing. Still hold to that.
jimmy Connors a great man off the court and not from the tennis academy His mum Gloria never pushed him God bless you Jimmy Connors and his Mum and 2 Mum
Loved Jimmy connors from a young age.....his never give up attitude was titanic.Always remember when he was two sets and 4-1 down against penfors at wimbeldon and came back to win......probably the greatest ever wimbledon comeback,especially considering he lost the first two sets 6-1 6-1. Go Jimmy.......you still hold numerous records including the most ever singles titles with 109 and it doesn't look now that its likely to be broken anytime soon.Statistically the greatest ever and a true legend of the sport.
The 14 best players in open era are 1.Novak Djokovic=22 2.Rafael Nadal=22 3.Roger Federer=20 4.Pete Sampras=14 5.Roy Emerson=12 6. Rod Laver=11 7. Bjorn Borg=11 8.Andre Agassi=8 9.Jimmy Connors=8 10. Ivan Lendl=8 11.John McEnroe=7 12.Mats Wilander=7 13.Boris Becker=6 14.Stephan Edberg=6
@@neilgutteridge6405 22>6 bro what are you smoking bro 😒😒😒 Big 3 era is strongest era Roger Federer,Rafael Nadal,Novak Djoko,Andy Murray and Wawarinka played in same era bro which is hard to win major titles like that actually Though surfaces got slowed down.
I never was a fan but I always respected the drive and devotion to sing single-minded excellence that only people like Koby , Jordan or Brady could understand.
When Jimmy Connors came to tennis, nobody followed these boring Aussies, like Laver, or Rosewall, or the top Americans Stan Smith and Arthur Ashe. But when Jimmy Connors came along in 74, suddenly tennis got interesting. Jimmy Connors put tennis on the map!
Speak for yourself. No true tennis lover could call Laver and the others boring, shows you don't know much abt the game. Connors brought a lot of showmanship and shenanigans to the court, perhaps that's what you think tennis is about.
@@michelez715 First off, I've forgotten more "abt the game" than you'll ever know. Secondly, Rod Laver, a tremendous shot maker, but a boring personality. What Connors did, Idiot, was he created audience "interest". He was the first great player with a two handed backhand and the first with a brash, on court personality. All the players that came after him owe him a debt of gratitude for popularizing their sport. Which, of course, put money in their pocket. You need to think and enrich your mind a little more. It's not all about ability. it's about getting people to watch.
@@michelez715 And your response was the sweetest, most polite thing I've ever heard. Admit it, this is your way of dealing with the fact that you've been outclassed and have no comeback.
Didn't care much for Jimmy until McEnroe came along, but really came to admire his passion as he'd fight for every point no matter what the score. Very well composed speech here and it's nice to see the family, the son really fills out that chair. Lovely wife and a tearful mother who stood by him thru thick & thin. The 2 handed backhand was a new twist back in the day. I'd say Wimbleton in 1982 was his greatest victory, but only he knows which he cherishes most.
As a young boy, Jimmy was my favorite player. So much so, that I copied his backhand, bought a T-2000 racquet and got so upset when he lost a big match that it affected the rest of my day. His total dedication to his sport was truly amazing. I loved the way he went all out. Yes, I cringed at his behavior sometimes. When you give it all, sometimes your emotions get the best of you. Jimmy paved the way for tennis to be a big money maker now. His decades of remarkable tennis brought so much joy to my life and helped me learn to love tennis.
Jimmy was the greatest. He contested every point as if his life depended on it. In his heyday, in the 70's and 80's, he was almost single-handedly, at the forefront of a national tennis-boom in the US. Courts were hard to reserve, everyone was playing. You were so much fun to watch. I hope the rest of your life is blessed, and you have grandchildren to bounce on your knee.
Connors was far and away more than a major World Wide tennis sensation; from serving fast Aces that smoked grass Down Under hot Rod Laver, to keeping time with Big Ben while playing for the Queen; or by being born again badgering Borg in France, Jimmy never played to kissing cousins' stalemate doom with both a jockey's silky sullivan skill and lady lucky topspin, no sooner romancing the green Blarney stone payday than kissing Roland Garros' clay; becoming better by beating New York born and bred McEnroe head to head at the Open, where Jimmy had that 70's Studio 54 swagger and style of a Charlie Hustle work ethic, prickly to the touch of a thorny Reds' Pete Rose, bobbed hairstyle and all; fearlessly flying in the face of adversity, flashing his gritty winner take all attitude, above all else a Virgo.
In an " I " sport for an " I " ego person this is such a gracious acceptance . Great core values. The sport of kings is a back and forth . He may have left out some persons that felt they were owed credit but he acknowledged his chief rivals who both made him greater and humbled him . You can still see him in your minds eye fists clenched on either side of those broad shoulders after a winning point game set or match. America a land without a king should be grateful for his grit .
1976. I was a very young tennis fan, in Iran. And I was so proud to have a Jimmy Connors poster on my wall . Years later I met the man in L.A, in some burger joint near my college. He was quite approachable and very friendly . What a thrill it was to chat with him. Connors and Borg were the idols for thousands of kids around the world. They were the impetus behind the explosion of Tennis as an exciting and glamorous sport. I wish him a long and happy life.
As Arthur Ashe said” Jimmy was an asshole, but he was everyone’s favorite asshole” Jimmy wore his heart on his sleeve and we thank him for it. He played because we couldn’t. We pulled for him and he pushed himself physically more than any other player I can think of to try his best to win a match. He never threw a match away. He never was afraid to play , to put himself on the line, thank you Jimmy.
Connors' wife, Patti McGuire, was Playboy's Miss November in 1976. She was subsequently named Playmate of the Year for that year. I personally did not agree with that choice, though; in my opinion, both Daina House and Ann Pennington were hotter than Patti, and Laura Lyons was about even with her. But the rest of the Playmates that year were subpar, so Patti was either the third or fourth best Playmate of 1976. Personally, I would have named Daina House the 1976 PMOY; Ann Pennington I could have accepted also.
Jimmy, I am 62yo in 2021 and must say, your dedication, tenacity and skill to play the game as you did was exciting to watch! It made you my favorite player over the decades. Tennis players should play with passion. I respect Bjorn and Ivan, however, was like watching paint dry 🥴. Probably watched every major tournament you played. Congrats on a truly awesome career ... 🥳. Cheers from Matthew in SoCal.
Wow! Well there's Jimmy as you've never heard him before. A lesson to speech writers and public speakers everywhere. beautifully delivered and so gracious.
Mikael Pernfors, 1987 - I don't think I've seen a greater comeback in my life.... except perhaps vs Krickstein. A loner, perhaps, but an entertainer. Maybe the greatest entertainer of them all...
It was Jimmy Connors, Chrissie Evert and Evonne Goolagong that got me really interested in the professional tennis game although I was also a good college and club player during the same time. Classy acceptance speech from a great never to be forgotten legend of the game. I will always be thankful that Jimbo entertained us all so wonderfully in his 1991 US OPEN run. Wishing him happiness the rest if his life!
Tennis journalist and writer Peter Bodo said in 1978 that "Jimmy Connors is the most unique stylist in the game today". And 44 years later, that's still true. He was a paradox of a player, - the quick kill volleyer w/o the big serve and a true all-court player yet hitting flat-spin strokes. And the only player to ever win the US Open on 3 different surfaces, - grass, clay and hard court.
El más loco, e impresionante jugador, lo ví levantar Mach point en contra muchas veces. SOS un grande, dentro y fuera de las canchas.El jugador q más torneos ganó, y todavía no pidieron batir. Se necesita otro loco como vos. Grande, Jimbo...enloquecias a la gente con esa pegada a 2 manos y esas corridas a pelotas imposibles de llegar...
@@JimmyConnors-cy2xt This is from you wow thanks for the response. For me you are the total example of what a competitor should be. In addition to the greatness you showed as a player no one ever talks about your integrity regarding your competitors on the court. With John Newcombe at the Australian Open and in other moments you stood up for opponents who got bad calls which was extremely admirable. McEnroe did the same thing are certain times. Both of you wanted to win more than anyone but you still wanted it to be fair. You not only were an all time great player but an all time great character of the game, thank you for everything.
This man was modern Tennis he changed the game have a look at him when poor old Ken Rosewell played him in the Wimbledon & US Open Finals 1974 he murdered him Ken is dinking it back with that great slice Backhand of his & Jimbo is butchering it with his 2 hander he was banned from playing 1974 French Open he probably would’ve won the Slam he won the other 3 & that year lost like 3-4 matches & won 90 15-18 tournaments 109 in Career only Played Ozzie Open Twice Didn’t play the French Open for 6-7 years that’s probably 6 more Slams he could of won !I didn’t like him at first but as I got older he grew on u like John Patrick McEnroe if u needed someone 1 Tennis Player to play for your life he was the man or Woman every point till the end do or die he gives u everything he has even his blood like he said in his book! Go Jimbo u bloody Legend a true Legend
Perhaps this was the moment he became more introspective toward himself and the big world around him. The world actually did not revolve around James Scott Connors as he imagined for so many years.
@@michelez715 What is fascinating about both of these guys is they were still good even though the racquets changed and they had unique styles. We will probably never see anyone play like them again.
I know this is a focus on Jimmy Conners , but what I am trying to understand is that how come Bjorn Bjork another top world class player and still to this very day a Swedish Adonis was inducted before Jimmy Conners , John McEnroe , Ivan Lendl , Boris Becker , Stefan Edburg to name a few . I thought that Bjorn Bjork would be inducted like in the nineties or early part of this century . How interesting
I read an earlier comment, saying that in the 70s Connors WAS tennis. And that is so true. I also very much appreciated Connors' words about his wife in his speech. She endured and put up with a lot.
I owe Jimmy Connors my passion for this sport. Everywhere you looked,it seemed there were players copying his compact backswing, hard ,flat rifle shots , and that signature forehand with deadly sidespin to the opponent's coffin corner on his approach.
![[UNCUT] “บอสณวัฒน์” ลากไส้!! ใครหนุนหลัง "แม่ตั๊ก ป๋าเบียร์" I คนดังนั่งเคลียร์ I 30 ก.ย. 67](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QlD7mU2KKRk/mqdefault.jpg)
When I was young, in the 1970’s, Jimmy Connors WAS Tennis.
Conners and Mac Inroe were so much fun to watch.
I met Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras. Bjorn Borg, Vitas Gerulaitis, Jim Courier, Michael Chang, Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, Jack Kramer, Jennifer Capriati, Mary Pierce, and many others and meeting Jimmy Connors was possible the best. He WAS tennis.
THE.BEST.TENNIS.PLAYERS.OF.ALL.TIME.IS.RODGER.RAFA.NOVAK
Possibly.
@@johnnieto9979 109
Connors was a giant. His '74 season is still one of the best.
And his all-time tournament victories is still something to behold.
And he might very well have won the grand slam in '74. Had he not been prevented from playing by BS
Great champion 👍
As a 10yo in 1975 Connors was the only sporting equal to Muhammad Ali, a global superstar !
one of the most striking facts is that he could win playing with the T-2000 and T- 3000 rackets which were pure garbage, maybe the worst popularracket of all time,( simply popular because he was using it).
@@dmmusicmusic well, as garbage rackets go, they were obviously up to the job! 😂
Way to go Jimmy! Very nostalgic moment. You're the main reason for the tennis explosion in America and probably the world when it gained mass popularity in the 1970s.
Thanks for the love and support you show me as a loyal fan of mine not withstanding how long have you been a fan of mine.
Once Jimmy Connors retired tennis was never the same for me!! There are great players today but Jimmy brought a special Energy to the game!!
No one like him
One of a kind. Gave it Al on a tennis court. Always true to himself.
Same here. Once McEnroe was gone, I was done with that. Makes me quite sad to lose that.
@@fender1000100Gave it AI ?
He brought more to the fans than just great tennis. He could be a douchebag at times, but NOBODY worked a crowd like Jimmy Connors.
What a great champion.
Indeed, a true mixed bag, definitely a douche-b, but with great sporting traits. No one ever gave more on every point, save Nadal. But he was NOT a good human being most of the time in his playing career. He spit, he cheated, he crossed out ball marks, he distracted and created chaos to create his advantage. A classless, crash d.b, just ask Mac. But even Mac was more respectful to opponents..most of the time. But my god, he tried on every point, and god knows how he won matches with that horrible piece of metal he used for so many years. Just controlling that piece of garbage was something to be proud of.
@@Arturo-sm1tb "just ask Mac"
Mac's probably the only one who cant afford to call the kettle black
even Connors admitted Macenroe was a godsend in that "he made me look good" (an exaggeration but with truth in it)
The one and only Jimmy Connors. An absolute legend.
Wow! what a beautiful speech. What a great player. Jimmy, we will miss you.
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I truly believe that Jimmy Conners is the player that began the modern era of tennis. The baseline battler with net skills and the showmanship to not just play tennis, but to be a true performer. Borg and McEnroe came in with their style and performer abilities and tennis became a true show. There was nothing sterile about tennis from 1972 to 2000. It’s gotten a bit bland the last few years. The tennis has been excellent but the personalities leave a lot to be desired.
Federer and Djokovic are great personalities. So is Rafa.
Very underappreciated player and raised the game to higher level.
Definitely not underappreciated by me. My favorite tennis player ever, warts and all.
@@markflemmer1326 Indeed, jimbo was a fantastic player, one of the greatest....
He's not an underappreciated player... every real tennis fan knows who Jimbo was 🎾🏆💪
You must be a kid. Jimmy got more attention inside and outside of tennis than Fed Rafa and Djok combined. Today's players are pretty much ignored outside of tennis.
Rubbish crowd here. Jimmy deserved more than that for the way he played the game. Lovely gesture to have his mother and grandmother at his side.
this was his wife and his mother
@BetaOnPurposeLMS-coach the same snobs who never really liked him as a player. Even Don Budge was there and he always hated Connors.
@@MrPernell27 Don Budge hated Connors? Where are you getting that from?
Incredible man... He had his weaknesses, but the strength of his will propelled him to the highest levels the game of tennis has ever seen!
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Para mi, Jimmy Connors ha sido un jugador de excepción. Jamás se daba por vencido, su ansia de ganar le transcendia y se convertía en alguien fuera de lo normal. Su carisma ha dado al tenis una humanidad que, desgraciadamente, se encuentra ausente en las canchas actuales en donde los tenistas parecen robots sin emociones ni sentimientos. Connors ha arrastrado tras de si a las multitudes que llenaban los estadios tan solo por ver jugar al gran Jimmy. Con Connors en la pista, se sabía que el espectáculo era garantizado, tanto por la excelencia de su juego, su tesón como por sus innumerables rasgos de humor que enloquecían al público. Cuando Connors entraba en la pista era como un animal de presa dispuesto a despedazar a su víctima. Con su retirada, el tenis ha perdido brillo y espectáculo. No ha habido, ni posiblemente habrá, otro jugador como él. Gloria a Jimmy Connors que tantas tardes de maravilloso tenis nos ha brindado a lo largo de su increible carrera.
Jimmy Connors, best player in every time !!!
Legend,the most importante player the latest 50 years
Tilden, Laver, Connors, Agassi and Federer. Probably the most important men’s players ever
I’ve studied that topic and you’re about right.
Jack Kramer and Pancho Gonzales too.
@@swalterstennis PAncho number one. I'm surprsied that Jimmy didn't mention Pancho Segura
Borg with 11 GS titles in 8 years should be in the top tier.
He was a Showman.The most exciting male figure, in that way, to be great on a tennis court. I think he was a jerk in So many ways but check out his stats sometime. They are very impressive
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Jimmy was all class here. I bowed my head when he played against Martina allowed only one serve and doubles line but still managed beat her. For the love and respect of the game no other men was courageous enough to take that kind the risk like Jimmy. What a true warrior!
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Love JIMMY...😅
In 1980, signed a BALL for me, right before he BEAT Johnny Mac at the US PRO INDOOR in Philly....😅
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More than anyone else, Connors is the main person who brought in the big money to professional tennis. He was originally vilified by taking the stance that a check for $15,000 for winning a tournament was an insult, yet he stood his ground because he knew he was right. The guy invented the Fist Pump (every player does it after practically every key point), and even when he lost a match, he was by far the most exciting player who ever held a tennis racket.
I read his book. I have so much respect for him not only as a player but as a man.
And who didn't love to watch him play, with all the emotion and intensity. I remember the first time i saw him was a full-size poster on a friend's bedroom wall when i was like 9 yrs old in 1976 and it was an awesome thing to look at. One of the greatest players ever. He gave us his all. Congratulations Jimmy, you deserve it.
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They say Jimmy was arrogant and some say not a nice guy but when I was growing up I always wanted him to win regardless who he was playing. Still hold to that.
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jimmy Connors a great man off the court and not from the tennis academy His mum Gloria never pushed him God bless you Jimmy Connors and his Mum and 2 Mum
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Loved Jimmy connors from a young age.....his never give up attitude was titanic.Always remember when he was two sets and 4-1 down against penfors at wimbeldon and came back to win......probably the greatest ever wimbledon comeback,especially considering he lost the first two sets 6-1 6-1.
Go Jimmy.......you still hold numerous records including the most ever singles titles with 109 and it doesn't look now that its likely to be broken anytime soon.Statistically the greatest ever and a true legend of the sport.
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@@jimmyconnors5685 wow,i wish that was Jimmy Connors replying to me.😁
The 14 best players in open era are
1.Novak Djokovic=22
2.Rafael Nadal=22
3.Roger Federer=20
4.Pete Sampras=14
5.Roy Emerson=12
6. Rod Laver=11
7. Bjorn Borg=11
8.Andre Agassi=8
9.Jimmy Connors=8
10. Ivan Lendl=8
11.John McEnroe=7
12.Mats Wilander=7
13.Boris Becker=6
14.Stephan Edberg=6
@@kikaa1884 thats just personal opinion.......there is no way that a player that holds the record number of titles can be that far down on a list.
@@neilgutteridge6405 22>6 bro what are you smoking bro 😒😒😒
Big 3 era is strongest era
Roger Federer,Rafael Nadal,Novak Djoko,Andy Murray and Wawarinka played in same era bro which is hard to win major titles like that actually
Though surfaces got slowed down.
I never was a fan but I always respected the drive and devotion to sing single-minded excellence that only people like Koby , Jordan or Brady could understand.
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God bless you sir. Love me some Jimmy Connors, that's for sure.
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He's my favorite player of all time. There was seldom a dull moment with James Scott Connors playing.
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Wow! A message from Jimmy Connors. My life is complete.
Jimmy the Gunslinger great times and so many great players, playing fun tennis
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When Jimmy Connors came to tennis, nobody followed these boring Aussies, like Laver, or Rosewall, or the top Americans Stan Smith and Arthur Ashe. But when Jimmy Connors came along in 74, suddenly tennis got interesting. Jimmy Connors put tennis on the map!
Speak for yourself. No true tennis lover could call Laver and the others boring, shows you don't know much abt the game. Connors brought a lot of showmanship and shenanigans to the court, perhaps that's what you think tennis is about.
@@michelez715 First off, I've forgotten more "abt the game" than you'll ever know. Secondly, Rod Laver, a tremendous shot maker, but a boring personality. What Connors did, Idiot, was he created audience "interest". He was the first great player with a two handed backhand and the first with a brash, on court personality. All the players that came after him owe him a debt of gratitude for popularizing their sport. Which, of course, put money in their pocket. You need to think and enrich your mind a little more. It's not all about ability. it's about getting people to watch.
@@theoriginalthinker9199 someone as gratuitously rude as you are, it just tells me your opinions are not worth bothering about.
@@michelez715 And your response was the sweetest, most polite thing I've ever heard. Admit it, this is your way of dealing with the fact that you've been outclassed and have no comeback.
Didn't care much for Jimmy until McEnroe came along, but really came to admire his passion as he'd fight for every point no matter what the score. Very well composed speech here and it's nice to see the family, the son really fills out that chair. Lovely wife and a tearful mother who stood by him thru thick & thin. The 2 handed backhand was a new twist back in the day. I'd say Wimbleton in 1982 was his greatest victory, but only he knows which he cherishes most.
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Such a good player such a great person very nice speech.... I just wish the crowd was a little bit more appreciating talk to him
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As a young boy, Jimmy was my favorite player. So much so, that I copied his backhand, bought a T-2000 racquet and got so upset when he lost a big match that it affected the rest of my day. His total dedication to his sport was truly amazing. I loved the way he went all out. Yes, I cringed at his behavior sometimes. When you give it all, sometimes your emotions get the best of you. Jimmy paved the way for tennis to be a big money maker now. His decades of remarkable tennis brought so much joy to my life and helped me learn to love tennis.
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Thank you Jimmy
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Jimmy always be my all time favourite player , he never gave up and played 100% every match . Wonderful speech.
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Jimmy was the greatest. He contested every point as if his life depended on it. In his heyday, in the 70's and 80's, he was almost single-handedly, at the forefront of a national tennis-boom in the US. Courts were hard to reserve, everyone was playing. You were so much fun to watch. I hope the rest of your life is blessed, and you have grandchildren to bounce on your knee.
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A great player
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What a great competitor he was, and so entertaining. He was part of a great era in the game.
Connors was far and away more than a major World Wide tennis sensation; from serving fast Aces that smoked grass Down Under hot Rod Laver, to keeping time with Big Ben while playing for the Queen; or by being born again badgering Borg in France, Jimmy never played to kissing cousins' stalemate doom with both a jockey's silky sullivan skill and lady lucky topspin, no sooner romancing the green Blarney stone payday than kissing Roland Garros' clay; becoming better by beating New York born and bred McEnroe head to head at the Open, where Jimmy had that 70's Studio 54 swagger and style of a Charlie Hustle work ethic, prickly to the touch of a thorny Reds' Pete Rose, bobbed hairstyle and all; fearlessly flying in the face of adversity, flashing his gritty winner take all attitude, above all else a Virgo.
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In an " I " sport for an " I " ego person this is such a gracious acceptance . Great core values. The sport of kings is a back and forth . He may have left out some persons that felt they were owed credit but he acknowledged his chief rivals who both made him greater and humbled him . You can still see him in your minds eye fists clenched on either side of those broad shoulders after a winning point game set or match. America a land without a king should be grateful for his grit .
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I just love Jimmy in my eyes he was the ultimate professional
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Classiest speech I've heard yet.
Jimmy Connors is very aggressive. He has won 109 tournaments, which is a record for men.
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1976. I was a very young tennis fan, in Iran. And I was so proud to have a Jimmy Connors poster on my wall . Years later I met the man in L.A, in some burger joint near my college. He was quite approachable and very friendly . What a thrill it was to chat with him. Connors and Borg were the idols for thousands of kids around the world. They were the impetus behind the explosion of Tennis as an exciting and glamorous sport. I wish him a long and happy life.
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As Arthur Ashe said” Jimmy was an asshole, but he was everyone’s favorite asshole” Jimmy wore his heart on his sleeve and we thank him for it. He played because we couldn’t. We pulled for him and he pushed himself physically more than any other player I can think of to try his best to win a match. He never threw a match away. He never was afraid to play , to put himself on the line, thank you Jimmy.
Jimbo is my all-time fav athlete.
as a method of self motivation, Johnny Mac would ask himself.....' am i trying as hard as Jimmy Connors'.
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Connors' wife, Patti McGuire, was Playboy's Miss November in 1976. She was subsequently named Playmate of the Year for that year. I personally did not agree with that choice, though; in my opinion, both Daina House and Ann Pennington were hotter than Patti, and Laura Lyons was about even with her. But the rest of the Playmates that year were subpar, so Patti was either the third or fourth best Playmate of 1976. Personally, I would have named Daina House the 1976 PMOY; Ann Pennington I could have accepted also.
Jimmy, I am 62yo in 2021 and must say, your dedication, tenacity and skill to play the game as you did was exciting to watch! It made you my favorite player over the decades. Tennis players should play with passion. I respect Bjorn and Ivan, however, was like watching paint dry 🥴. Probably watched every major tournament you played. Congrats on a truly awesome career ... 🥳. Cheers from Matthew in SoCal.
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Wow! Well there's Jimmy as you've never heard him before. A lesson to speech writers and public speakers everywhere. beautifully delivered and so gracious.
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Mikael Pernfors, 1987 - I don't think I've seen a greater comeback in my life.... except perhaps vs Krickstein. A loner, perhaps, but an entertainer. Maybe the greatest entertainer of them all...
I like Jimmy Connors even more now and he's always been my favorite tennis player.
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It was Jimmy Connors, Chrissie Evert and Evonne Goolagong that got me really interested in the professional tennis game although I was also a good college and club player during the same time. Classy acceptance speech from a great never to be forgotten legend of the game. I will always be thankful that Jimbo entertained us all so wonderfully in his 1991 US OPEN run. Wishing him happiness the rest if his life!
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I caught the end of his career. What a fighter.
'I hate John McEnroe and had Chris Evert, thankyou for my induction"
Tennis journalist and writer Peter Bodo said in 1978 that "Jimmy Connors is the most unique stylist in the game today". And 44 years later, that's still true. He was a paradox of a player, - the quick kill volleyer w/o the big serve and a true all-court player yet hitting flat-spin strokes. And the only player to ever win the US Open on 3 different surfaces, - grass, clay and hard court.
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Loved his t200 racquet,left handed forehand and awesome two handed backhand
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Connors played the game with the Wilson steel racket until they stopped making it. Need you say anything more!
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El más loco, e impresionante jugador, lo ví levantar Mach point en contra muchas veces. SOS un grande, dentro y fuera de las canchas.El jugador q más torneos ganó, y todavía no pidieron batir. Se necesita otro loco como vos. Grande, Jimbo...enloquecias a la gente con esa pegada a 2 manos y esas corridas a pelotas imposibles de llegar...
Most Singles titles of all-time: James Scott Connors
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We're the same age. Connors has one more hip surgery and I think I could take him. . . . .
Just wonderful to hear these tennis Greats Induction Speech.
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WE LOVE YOU JIMMY!
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Did not know he had this in him.
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Jimmy Connors is an American treasure!
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What are those famous words that can be applied to Jimmy Connors, "we won't see his like again. "
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@@JimmyConnors-cy2xt This is from you wow thanks for the response. For me you are the total example of what a competitor should be. In addition to the greatness you showed as a player no one ever talks about your integrity regarding your competitors on the court. With John Newcombe at the Australian Open and in other moments you stood up for opponents who got bad calls which was extremely admirable. McEnroe did the same thing are certain times. Both of you wanted to win more than anyone but you still wanted it to be fair.
You not only were an all time great player but an all time great character of the game, thank you for everything.
@@gregoryphillips3969 You welcome and thanks for the love and support shown towards me
@@gregoryphillips3969 I do want us to continue this conversation on gmail
This man was modern Tennis he changed the game have a look at him when poor old Ken Rosewell played him in the Wimbledon & US Open Finals 1974 he murdered him Ken is dinking it back with that great slice Backhand of his & Jimbo is butchering it with his 2 hander he was banned from playing 1974 French Open he probably would’ve won the Slam he won the other 3 & that year lost like 3-4 matches & won 90 15-18 tournaments 109 in Career only Played Ozzie Open Twice Didn’t play the French Open for 6-7 years that’s probably 6 more Slams he could of won !I didn’t like him at first but as I got older he grew on u like John Patrick McEnroe if u needed someone 1 Tennis Player to play for your life he was the man or Woman every point till the end do or die he gives u everything he has even his blood like he said in his book! Go Jimbo u bloody Legend a true Legend
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Ver jugar Connors era un espectáculo,para mi el mejor.
A great champion who always tried to win despite being down 2 sets, he’d never quit
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Era um grande jogador e também muito carismático.
Always true to himself. I love him.
what a fantastic speech from an all time great.
What a player, Champion and man! No competitor will inspire me more than him. Thank you Jimmy👊
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PARLACI DEL FURTO AI DANNI DI BARAZZUTTI.
CLOWN!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Perhaps this was the moment he became more introspective toward himself and the big world around him. The world actually did not revolve around James Scott Connors as he imagined for so many years.
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@@jimmyconnors5685 LOL..
He looks like he's 35. I just watched the mcenroe ceremony and he's 7 yrs younger than Jimmy and he looked 10+ yrs older.
Genetics and a bad first marriage.
Did you also notice that, absolutely as I would have expected, McEnroe's speech was twice as long as Connors'?
@@michelez715 What is fascinating about both of these guys is they were still good even though the racquets changed and they had unique styles. We will probably never see anyone play like them again.
I respect Jimmy Connors.
My Dad and I watched every single match he played....
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My favourite tennis player of them all. Lost the love of tennis when he retired. Always gave 100%.
What a great speech
Jimmy Connors was my favorite tennis player.
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I know this is a focus on Jimmy Conners , but what I am trying to understand is that how come Bjorn Bjork another top world class player and still to this very day a Swedish Adonis was inducted before Jimmy Conners , John McEnroe , Ivan Lendl , Boris Becker , Stefan Edburg to name a few . I thought that Bjorn Bjork would be inducted like in the nineties or early part of this century . How interesting
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Icon. Jimmy and Roger Federer resemble each other
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Connors was not the best player, but to me, he was the greatest player, over 100 Tournament wins and so many finals and semi finals.
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jimmy and chrissy made tennis huge in america.
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Jimmy Connors is the most gorgeous and talented man I have ever seen!
I read an earlier comment, saying that in the 70s Connors WAS tennis. And that is so true. I also very much appreciated Connors' words about his wife in his speech. She endured and put up with a lot.
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I owe Jimmy Connors my passion for this sport. Everywhere you looked,it seemed there were players copying his compact backswing, hard ,flat rifle shots , and that signature forehand with deadly sidespin to the opponent's coffin corner on his approach.
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@@anauticalgate5496 Thanks so much for the support and love but I would want to continue this conversation on gmail
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A likeable chap and great player.
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My first tennis racket was a metal Jimmy Connors Tennis Racket
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Tennis in 2022 could use a Jimmy Connors. No doubt
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What a sweet speech!
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Very nice HOF speech. Thanks for the memories Jimmy!
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Loved your tennis. Thank you.Looking good.
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my favourite tennis player ❤❤
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supposed to be Edberg
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Strong Work Mr. Connors!
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mama's boy
Toughest player I ever saw…
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Miss you on Sunday Jimmy.
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