Powershares Series with Jimmy Connors

[Mr.Lob]

The former greats of tennis squaring off against each other. Today saw a matchup of old foes, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors.

I've always been a big Jimmy Connors fan. Growing up he was one of my favorites. Which is why it was difficult seeing him play in the condition he's in. With hip replacement a couple years ago, his mobility is severely limited. He stumbled a bit just moving a couple steps to his left on the first point of the match. Jimmy can't really turn on the ball and hit it hard. McEnroe was pretty much feeding Connors balls to keep him in the rally. Connors can walk quickly, but not really run.

Yes ,Connors is 61 years old now. Which is a big contributing factor in the quality of his play. Connors, Mack and the crowd seemed to be enjoying themselves. Pretty gutsy of Connors to step out on the court in the first place. Just hard to watch a boyhood hero get old, when not so long ago it seemed Connors could do anything. Oh well, such is life.

 

[JCat]

I know what you mean. I saw a little bit of that match on television and really didn't want to watch it for the same reasons you mentioned. I will be really surprised if Connors plays anymore of those Powershares events. I think he wanted to try out his new hip after his latest operation and see how it would go, but I've got to think he realizes that he can't do it anymore. I heard that he won the Montecito Golf Club championship yesterday. Maybe he can satisfy his competitiveness that way these days.

 

[Turbo-87]

I watch this series quite a bit. I am amazed at how fit McEnroe is and he certainly holds his own against the younger players in the series. I have only seen Connors play once and it was a bit tough.

 

[jrepac]

I think it's actually 2 hip replacements at this point, so maybe cut the guy some slack. I'm sure fans still love to see him out there period; no one expects him to play like it's 1974 again (or even 1984, for that matter).

He played pretty well after the initial hip replacement back in 2007; maybe this latest has set him back to a greater degree. I can't imagine being on a tennis court after 2 hip replacements. Despite that, he looks pretty fit overall.

It's funny about Mac...he trashed the whole concept of a Srs. tour way back when. Now, he's one of the best players on it...he's awfully sharp for a geriatric. And, darn entertaining.

 

[pjonesy]

I think it's actually 2 hip replacements at this point, so maybe cut the guy some slack. I'm sure fans still love to see him out there period; no one expects him to play like it's 1974 again (or even 1984, for that matter).

He played pretty well after the initial hip replacement back in 2007; maybe this latest has set him back to a greater degree. I can't imagine being on a tennis court after 2 hip replacements. Despite that, he looks pretty fit overall.

It's funny about Mac...he trashed the whole concept of a Srs. tour way back when. Now, he's one of the best players on it...he's awfully sharp for a geriatric. And, darn entertaining.

I understand what you're saying. People are still drawn to Connors and what he has meant to the sport. But it's legitimate to expect an entertaining level of play from legends who played tennis for a living and it seems that Connors is not up to it. Hard to watch him play a competitive match, but I still think Connors is a unique breed of tennis player we will never see again. Legend, folk hero, iconoclast and warrior who you could never count out. In his prime, I would pick him to play for my life over all other players in history.

 

[JCat]

I think it's actually 2 hip replacements at this point, so maybe cut the guy some slack. I'm sure fans still love to see him out there period; no one expects him to play like it's 1974 again (or even 1984, for that matter).

He played pretty well after the initial hip replacement back in 2007; maybe this latest has set him back to a greater degree. I can't imagine being on a tennis court after 2 hip replacements. Despite that, he looks pretty fit overall.

It's funny about Mac...he trashed the whole concept of a Srs. tour way back when. Now, he's one of the best players on it...he's awfully sharp for a geriatric. And, darn entertaining.

He has actually had three hip replacement surgeries, because one hip had to be redone already.

I wish Connors could be involved in some way in the tennis world, in what capacity I don't know. I see all these other former players still around, as coaches or as commentators, and I wish there was a place for him somewhere too.

 

[TennisLogic]

anybody know what mcenroe does to stay fit nowadays?

 

[Mr.Lob]

anybody know what mcenroe does to stay fit nowadays?

I was wondering the same thing. Looks to be the same weight he was at
30 years ago. I'm guessing just play a lot of tennis and eat right. In his book Mcenroe said he never liked working out or lifting weights to stay in shape. He preferred to just play a lot of tennis.



Funny that Lendl, Connors and Mack seem to like each other now. Wonder if they ever sit down together and talk about the olden days.

 

[jrepac]

3 hip surgeries? Wow...it's a miracle he's even walking let alone hitting a tennis ball.
And, not sure Mac and Jimmy "like" Ivan...that might be a stretch....Borg, they liked. Ivan, well, that's another story...perhaps they tolerate him and vice versa!

 

[Mr.Lob]

3 hip surgeries? Wow...it's a miracle he's even walking let alone hitting a tennis ball.
And, not sure Mac and Jimmy "like" Ivan...that might be a stretch....Borg, they liked. Ivan, well, that's another story...perhaps they tolerate him and vice versa!

I saw Lendl smile, while playing Pat Cash, the other day in a Powershares match. Lendl! Nearly fell our of my chair.

Powershares is all about putting on a good show for the fans. Players joke and kid around. Not the pressure to win. I think Lendl, Mack and Connors actually like each other now. Or, they're acting. And Lord knows McEnroe can't act.

 

[struggle]

I was at the Charlotte, NC Powershares event.

Connors cannot move but is still a great ball striker.

Yes, Mac was feeding him balls for the most part.

It was still great to see Connors out there.

 

[scotus]

He has actually had three hip replacement surgeries, because one hip had to be redone already.

I wish Connors could be involved in some way in the tennis world, in what capacity I don't know. I see all these other former players still around, as coaches or as commentators, and I wish there was a place for him somewhere too.

Connors has been doing all those things.

If you remember, he coached Roddick and then very briefly Sharapova.

He also served as a commentator on Tennis Channel many times, but Connors is simply not at his best when he is calm and sitting on the sidelines. His charm, charisma and energy come out only when his adrenaline is pumping in the heat of competition. Too bad his hips don't allow him to do that very well.

 

[bluetrain4]

I was wondering the same thing. Looks to be the same weight he was at
30 years ago. I'm guessing just play a lot of tennis and eat right. In his book Mcenroe said he never liked working out or lifting weights to stay in shape. He preferred to just play a lot of tennis.



Funny that Lendl, Connors and Mack seem to like each other now. Wonder if they ever sit down together and talk about the olden days.

I know he takes care of himself via diet and exercise, but he's a fairly small dude to begin with. He never struck me as the type who was going to get a big belly and thicken up as he got older.

 

[JEDBERG]

I know he takes care of himself via diet and exercise, but he's a fairly small dude to begin with. He never struck me as the type who was going to get a big belly and thicken up as he got older.

I heard him say in an interview awhile back that he does do some strength training these days.

 

[JCat]

Connors has been doing all those things.

If you remember, he coached Roddick and then very briefly Sharapova.

He also served as a commentator on Tennis Channel many times, but Connors is simply not at his best when he is calm and sitting on the sidelines. His charm, charisma and energy come out only when his adrenaline is pumping in the heat of competition. Too bad his hips don't allow him to do that very well.

Oh I know that he has coached before, but Roddick was a long time ago now, and you can barely count Sharapova. I also know that he even did some commentary for the BBC at Wimbledon this year. What I mean is that I wish he occupied a more prominent place in tennis these days. I wasn't even able to see any of his BBC commentary here in the States. I get what you are saying though; his big personality came out best as a player.

 

[comeback]

He became almost cripple for the enjoyment of us ALL.

 

[jakemcclain32]

Mac is enough of a draw...we don't need Connors crippling himself while wearing pants.

 

[max]

This is all a testament---like him or not---to the great work that Connors did in drawing people/viewers/spectators/new players to the sport of tennis.

 

[Mr.Lob]

Mac is enough of a draw...we don't need Connors crippling himself while wearing pants.

Curious as to why Connors was wearing pants? Maybe some type of supportive bracing or undergarment?

 

[jakemcclain32]

Curious as to why Connors was wearing pants? Maybe some type of supportive bracing or undergarment?

Or his legs are unathletic as hell

 

[ttwarrior1]

too bad this is on tv at like 2 am, or at least is here on fox and its always like blake vs mcenroe or agassi

 

[Mr.Lob]

too bad this is on tv at like 2 am, or at least is here on fox and its always like blake vs mcenroe or agassi

Probably have to subscribe to the Tennis Channel.

 

[jrepac]

Or his legs are unathletic as hell

or surgical scars, perhaps