Catching Up with Jimmy Connors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Liza Horan
330 Third Ave.
New York,
212-682-6829
liza@tenniswire.org
09/02/06 -
By Liza Horan, Editor
New York--Jimmy Connors is back in tennis. And in true Jimmy fashion, he didn't slip in through the side door or sneak up from behind. He's marked his return with a full-scale attack from all sides: a product endorsement, a pro coaching contract, a health message, and sincere face-time.
Yes, the legendary player who didn't think enough of such gatherings as Wimbledon's Parade of Champions in 2000 to mark the Millenium Championships or the International Tennis Hall of Fame's 50th anniversary in 2004 to show up is back on his own terms and, some critics say, for himself.
"It's not about the money," says Joel Drucker, the longtime tennis writer, broadcaster and author of "Jimmy Connors Saved My Life." "He wants to be venerated." At turns, Drucker calls Connors "Elvis," referring to the player's tendency to objectify himself as a superstar beyond others, and "The Wizard of Oz" in his role as coaching advisor to Andy Roddick.
This past week Connors addressed a standing-room-only crowd of teaching pros at the USTA Tennis Teachers Conference, held annually in New York just as the U.S. Open gets under way.
In "A Conversation with Jimmy Connors" the legend talked with Kurt Kamperman, the USTA's Chief Executive of Community Tennis Development, and took questions from the eager audience.
"For the first time, tennis writers were writing about tennis matches like boxing matches. He catapuled tennis into another sphere," Kamperman said in his introduction. "Jimmy always tells it like it is--he's a straight shooter. No one would call him a diplomat."
Conners responded: "I've always been true to myself, but I've never dressed like this--this is new," said Connors, straightening his tie and suit jacket and saying he was more used to walking around in sweats. It was the first of many laughs from the audience.
The conversation flowed from Jimmy's training--by his mother, Gloria, and grandmother--to the lack of successful American players at the pro level right now, and his work with Roddick. Here's a summary.
On the state of American pro tennis: "In my opinion we've missed a generation," Connors said. "You had my generation, then Sampras, Agassi, Courier, Chang, Martin. We've had the luxury of having two generations of top player...and now we're fluttering. We're not keeping up the pace." He dared called the American pro tennis "stagnant" and told the audience that they have a responsibility in creating the next generation of stars. "We're up against baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and now television, we have poker." Another laugh, accompanied by nods of agreement.
On his move into the pro game, after being taught by his mother, Gloria, and grandmother: I was bringing a ladies game--smooth, with compact strokes--into a man's world. I had a small chip on my shoulder--it's gone now--to prove something to myself that (that style) game was good enough to be taught to me and that it worked.
On his good friend and opponent Ilie Nastase: Ilie could separate the off-court from the on-court. I couldn't He beat me 10 times in a row. (One match at 7-6 in the fifth set)...then I beat him 22 times in a row.
On his rivals: It started with the three (of us)--me, John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg--and then Ivan Lendl came along for four. It was such a tremendous time, the excitement and electricity, and TV coming in a making us stars. I wouldn't trade that time for anything.
On advancements in racquet technology in today's pro game: "The equipment has given them the luxury of losing the fundamentals of the game, like footwork, early preparation and hitting deep.
On the secret to his playing success: The footwork was the biggest part of my game. Timing, early preparation, good eyesight, picking up the ball quickly...I hate getting technical because tnenis is the art of being natural. Tennis is not rocket science."
On working with Roddick: I'm trying to help Andy Roddick. As great as he is right now, to give him a touch of that (fundamentals) is going to make him tremendous. He's a fast learner, a quick thinker, and fun. I can give him part of my game, and what it took for me to be great and win Wimbledon and U.S. Opens...I just kind of sit there and enjoy watching him player.
On Pancho Gonzales, the legend who served as a mentor to Connors and appears on his instructional DVD set: The experience and opportunity to talk and play with the pros (who came to work with Pancho at his club in California) really into my game and how I wanted to play...Nobody loves tennis more than Pancho. He's out there every day at the Open and can't wait to get in there and critique and criticize the game.
On when his relationship with John McEnroe went icy: "I think the first time we said hello. He was interfering with my turf. We were both left-handed and of Irish descent...We brought out the absolute best in each other, and have the utmost respect for each other...I was standing out there on the court to honor Billie Jean King (on Aug. 28) with McEnroe, and there's still friction there. Funny, that little guy, I tell ya.
