The book isn't recent, but wow time flies; I didn't realize it's been 10 years. I haven't finished it yet! It's okay, nothing too riveting. He reveals that he really was an "outsider" in the sport, thus the book title. He confesses to both having OCD and being purposefully unfriendly, as a means of intimidation. He does bash Agassi, Becker and some others that he claims don't appreciate how much the sport of tennis afforded them.
As a HUGE Connors fan growing up (saw him play in both Vermont and Ottawa), I am disappointed that he never really garnered the post-game fame that Mr. McEnroe has obtained. He auditioned to fill in for Pat Sajak on Wheel of Fortune, but apparently it didn't go well at all. McEnroe at least hosted a massively unpopular gameshow for a short time.
I haven't seen Jimbo do much commentary other than some YouTube clips, but I also haven't followed tennis much at all since his retirement. I followed Andy Roddick for the very short time that he was being coached by Connors.
I grew up watching Borg, Connors and McEnroe. To me tennis today is a total bore without the McEnroe and Connors personalities.
https://www.amazon.com/Outsider-Memoir-Jimmy-Connors/dp/0061243000/ref=asc_df_0061243000/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312039480609&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3074269618927460691&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1027277&hvtargid=pla-567859305286&psc=1
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Ripkens25 (1901)
a year ago
I completely agree, there was no greater era to watch tennis than during Connors’ and Mac’s heyday. And the game lost something further when players no longer argue calls (due to challenges and robo line judges.)
That run Connors went on at the US Open when he was 39 was some of the most epic tennis I’ve ever seen. There’s a great 30 for 30 on the Connors/Kricksteen match. If you can find it, it’s a great watch.
Spoiler Alert: They went from hating each other through the years…to becoming friends.
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