Jimmy Connors Biography

James Scott Connors, born on September 2, 1952, is an American former professional tennis player known for his career in singles competition. He held the world No. 1 ranking for 268 weeks, the fifth-longest tenure in ATP history, and finished as year-end No. 1 five times. Connors recorded his first professional match win in August 1970, defeating Jean-Baptiste Chanfreau in the first round of the Haverford tournament. In 1971, he captured the NCAA singles title as a freshman while attending UCLA and earned All-American status. Connors turned professional in 1972 and won his first tournament, the Jacksonville Open, followed by victories in Roanoke, Queen's Club, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Albany. In 1972, he declined membership in the newly formed ATP, choosing instead to compete in tournaments organized by his manager, Bill Riordan. He won the 1973 U.S. Pro title by defeating Arthur Ashe in a five-set final, one of 11 tournaments he claimed that year.