Jimmy Connors recently spoke about the mercurial nature of past greats
like John McEnroe and himself, both of whom were known for their on-court
temper. The eight-time Major winner admittedly flourished when he would
get frustrated during tough matches, as he would channel that energy and
use it more positively.
like John McEnroe and himself, both of whom were known for their on-court
temper. The eight-time Major winner admittedly flourished when he would
get frustrated during tough matches, as he would channel that energy and
use it more positively.
Connors competed on the ATP Tour from 1972 to 1996, winning eight Grand
Slam tournaments in singles and spending a mammoth 268 weeks as the
World No. 1. Known for his fierce competitiveness, the American never shied
from expressing his emotions on the court.
In that context, a fan had a rather interesting question for Jimmy Connors to
dissect on his podcast, ‘Advantage Connors,’ with his son, Brett. The fan in
question insisted that Connors was able to “channel his intense emotions to
work for him” before asking him whether he felt other players shared the
same ability.
Slam tournaments in singles and spending a mammoth 268 weeks as the
World No. 1. Known for his fierce competitiveness, the American never shied
from expressing his emotions on the court.
In that context, a fan had a rather interesting question for Jimmy Connors to
dissect on his podcast, ‘Advantage Connors,’ with his son, Brett. The fan in
question insisted that Connors was able to “channel his intense emotions to
work for him” before asking him whether he felt other players shared the
same ability.
“Your secret to channeling intense emotions to work for you and raising
your level of play. Does that feel like a lot of people you see when they get
upset? I feel like you were somebody who, the more the situation got out of
control, the more it helped you,” Brett Connors narrated the above fan’s
question on Advantage Connors podcast
your level of play. Does that feel like a lot of people you see when they get
upset? I feel like you were somebody who, the more the situation got out of
control, the more it helped you,” Brett Connors narrated the above fan’s
question on Advantage Connors podcast
Connors alluded in his response that he liked drama during his matches, as
it allowed him to play more freely. He also questioned the attitude of today’s
top players, who according to him are too dependent on their coaches for
solutions.
it allowed him to play more freely. He also questioned the attitude of today’s
top players, who according to him are too dependent on their coaches for
solutions.
“It helped me get out of control. Yeah, I was good at that… being able to
spit my venom and get back within myself,” Jimmy Connors said (24:13).
“I tried to get it all out so it didn’t cost me.”
spit my venom and get back within myself,” Jimmy Connors said (24:13).
“I tried to get it all out so it didn’t cost me.”
But yeah, I liked controversy. I liked more than just hitting the tennis
ball, trying to figure things out. I’m out there on my own,” he added
(26:14). “A lot of these guys today look up to their box 100 times a match,
you know, what I’m wondering is what can that do for them.”
Connors alluded in his response that he liked drama during his matches, as
it allowed him to play more freely. He also questioned the attitude of today’s
top players, who according to him are too dependent on their coaches for
solutions.
ball, trying to figure things out. I’m out there on my own,” he added
(26:14). “A lot of these guys today look up to their box 100 times a match,
you know, what I’m wondering is what can that do for them.”
Connors alluded in his response that he liked drama during his matches, as
it allowed him to play more freely. He also questioned the attitude of today’s
top players, who according to him are too dependent on their coaches for
solutions.
Furthermore, Brett Connors probed whether John McEnroe was as good as
his father when it came to handling his emotions, to which the 72-year-old
replied in the affirmative.
his father when it came to handling his emotions, to which the 72-year-old
replied in the affirmative.
“Do you think those situations helped McEnroe or hurt him more?” Brett
Connors asked
Connors asked
“I think you can divide that in half. Sometimes it did, and sometimes it
didn’t,” Connors Sr. replied. “And sometimes, he couldn’t get it all out. But
other times, he was really good at
didn’t,” Connors Sr. replied. “And sometimes, he couldn’t get it all out. But
other times, he was really good at
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