Connors, Jimmy (1952-…), was an American tennis champion who won 109 professional singles titles, more than any other male player. From July 1974 to August 1977, he spent 160 consecutive weeks ranked as the number-one player in the world, a record until the Swiss star Roger Federer broke it in 2007. Connors also had a remarkably long career as a tennis player. He became a professional in 1972 and last competed in the United States Open in 1992 at the age of 40.
A left-hander, Connors was known for his aggressive, hard-hitting style of play. He excelled at returning his opponent’s serve and had a powerful two-handed backhand shot. His intense, competitive personality made him a favorite with tennis fans.
James Scott Connors was born on Sept. 2, 1952, in East St. Louis, Illinois, and grew up in Belleville, Illinois. He attended the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), where, in 1971, he won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s singles title.
Connors became the number-one ranked player in the world in 1974 after winning three of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments—the Australian Open, Wimbledon in England, and the U.S. Open. He won the U.S. Open four more times, in 1976, 1978, 1982, and 1983, and won Wimbledon again in 1982. Connors’s memoir, The Outsider, was published in 2013.
