Connors never spoke to Krickstein again...?!

[TahoeTennis]

Ok, just watched "this is what they want" on Netflix and now I dislike Connors even more, if that is possible.

He and Aaron Krickstein were friends, good friends before their famous match. I mean the kind of friends where Krickstein would come over and the first time he even fired a gun was at Jimmy's. They obviously knew each other's games very well.

Anyway, after THE match, Jimmy NEVER EVER reached out to Aaron.

From that ONE MATCH, Jimmy made millions, MILLIONS of dollars and you would think he would at least give him a call, or say hello, like any decent FRIEND would do.

I have to agree with PMac in calling Connors a definite a*****e.

 

[Mustard]

Why are you blaming Connors for the fact that they drifted apart after their 1991 US Open match?

 

[TahoeTennis]

Why are you blaming Connors for the fact that they drifted apart after their 1991 US Open match?

They didn't "drift apart", it was stone cold Cold Turkey. Did you watch the documentary? They interview both Connors and Krickstein. Yes I am saying it was cold and not cool of Connors to sever that friendship completely, while in the meantime reaping the rewards.

 

[big ted]

when i saw the show it sounded like they were just practice buddies to me and since connors pretty much "retired" the next year there was no reason to stay in touch. connors seems like pretty much a private person anyway so i dont think he reaches out to too many people outside his family

that show put a spin on connors as a heel and i dont know why he let them do that

 

[Mustard]

They didn't "drift apart", it was stone cold Cold Turkey. Did you watch the documentary? They interview both Connors and Krickstein. Yes I am saying it was cold and not cool of Connors to sever that friendship completely, while in the meantime reaping the rewards.

Perhaps you can tell me what was said. I know that Krickstein was annoyed at Connors' conduct during the match. Connors later asked Krickstein if he was avoiding him.

 

[TahoeTennis]

"I was pretty good friends with Jimmy, you know, especially when I was a youngster, at 15, 16," Krickstein said. "I was at his house, we traveled together." :shock:

 

[PDJ]

Given Connors auto-biog, he didn't seem too concerned about other peoples private lives. Classy guy......

 

[Mustard]

"I was pretty good friends with Jimmy, you know, especially when I was a youngster, at 15, 16," Krickstein said. "I was at his house, we traveled together." :shock:

Why the shock? I know all about the fact that Connors and Krickstein were good friends from 1983-1991, despite the 15 year age difference. Following their 1991 US Open match, Krickstein was annoyed at Connors' conduct, Connors asked Krickstein if he was avoiding him, and they drifted apart. Connors also retired a year later, while Krickstein carried on for a few more years, until the injuries finally finished his career.

So, why the hostility towards Connors that they drifted apart? I don't get it.

 

[TahoeTennis]

another perspective:

gary oxley says:

November 24, 2013 at 7:16 PM

Well Observed Dan . The 30/30 piece was interesting in that it allowed the viewer to reach the conclusion that it was Aarons loss to Jimmy in that 1991 Open and perhaps the manner in which he lost the match , that brought the curtain down on his career . Aaron himself abetted that by also lamenting the loss of Gullikson as his coach within a short time frame as well as mentioning his subsequent jobs once retired from the tour . That did Connors no favours at all in my opinion . The fact that Connors had seemingly shunned Krickstein in the aftermath of the match is also damning of Jimmy but not as revelatory as most would have us believe . One minute Connors is portrayed as a guy that no-one wanted to have as a friend and then ‘kricker’ seems to bemoan the lack of empathy from a good friend !!!!!! So I was confused at the end . I certainly gain the impression that Aaron Krickstein is an engaging and articulate guy and that Jimmy is just ,well ………Jimmy !! Cheers.

 

[TahoeTennis]

Why the shock? I know all about the fact that Connors and Krickstein were good friends from 1983-1991, despite the 15 year age difference. Following their 1991 US Open match, Krickstein was annoyed at Connors' conduct, Connors asked Krickstein if he was avoiding him, and they drifted apart. Connors also retired a year later, while Krickstein carried on for a few more years, until the injuries finally finished his career.

So, why the hostility towards Connors that they drifted apart? I don't get it.

Again, they didn't drift apart, they NEVER spoke again. Connors cut him off completely, a friend. No hostility, it's his choice. But considering the gamesmanship and way Connors won that match, and again the fact that it THAT match alone that made Connors Millions and Millions of dollars, it really was a jerk move.

 

[heninfan99]

I actually like Connors, I feel I understand where he was coming from.

 

[Mustard]

another perspective:

gary oxley says:

November 24, 2013 at 7:16 PM

Well Observed Dan . The 30/30 piece was interesting in that it allowed the viewer to reach the conclusion that it was Aarons loss to Jimmy in that 1991 Open and perhaps the manner in which he lost the match , that brought the curtain down on his career . Aaron himself abetted that by also lamenting the loss of Gullikson as his coach within a short time frame as well as mentioning his subsequent jobs once retired from the tour . That did Connors no favours at all in my opinion . The fact that Connors had seemingly shunned Krickstein in the aftermath of the match is also damning of Jimmy but not as revelatory as most would have us believe . One minute Connors is portrayed as a guy that no-one wanted to have as a friend and then ‘kricker’ seems to bemoan the lack of empathy from a good friend !!!!!! So I was confused at the end . I certainly gain the impression that Aaron Krickstein is an engaging and articulate guy and that Jimmy is just ,well ………Jimmy !! Cheers.

I don't understand.

Krickstein did well for a good few years after 1991. He was playing against Muster in the 1992 Monte Carlo final. In 1995, Krickstein reached the semi finals of the Australian Open, including an amazing win from 2 sets down against Edberg. Krickstein's record in fifth sets was always amazing. It was injuries that finished Krickstein, not Connors at the 1991 US Open.

 

[Mustard]

Again, they didn't drift apart, they NEVER spoke again. Connors cut him off completely, a friend. No hostility, it's his choice. But considering the gamesmanship and way Connors won that match, and again the fact that it THAT match alone that made Connors Millions and Millions of dollars, it really was a jerk move.

How did Connors cut him off when Connors asked Krickstein if he was avoiding him?

 

[Mr.Lob]

Again, they didn't drift apart, they NEVER spoke again. Connors cut him off completely, a friend. No hostility, it's his choice. But considering the gamesmanship and way Connors won that match, and again the fact that it THAT match alone that made Connors Millions and Millions of dollars, it really was a jerk move.

Gamesmanship? Refresh our memories. Was it playing to the crowd, working the chair umpire... stalling?

 

[Mustard]

Gamesmanship? Refresh our memories. Was it playing to the crowd, working the chair umpire... stalling?

Probably the second set. Connors led 5-1 and had set points, but it ended up going to a tiebreak where Krickstein had set point. When the tiebreak was back level, there was an awful overrule on the far-side made against Connors by the umpire, and Connors just exploded with vulgar language, and Connors kept taunting the umpire as he shrugged it off and won the set. Or maybe it was the fifth set, when Connors trailed 2-5, and got it out of it with seemingly everyone in the stadium cheering for Connors, except Aaron's dad.

Krickstein himself said that whenever somebody says to him "I was cheering for you in that match", he thinks "Oh yeah? I didn't hear you".

The irony is that Krickstein had such an amazing record in fifth sets. In his career, he won 27 out of 35 matches that went into a fifth set. Yet he is remembered most for a match in which he lost the fifth set, to a 39 year old Connors.

 

[TahoeTennis]

Gamesmanship? Refresh our memories. Was it playing to the crowd, working the chair umpire... stalling?

Sad display of gamesmanship indeed.

Quote: "Jimmy knew Krick like to play fast. He STALLED so hard after that second set tiebreaker, it was pathetic. Here is proof and it is documented in the show:

1. 3 new racquets
2. 3 shoe changes
3. 5 Spray treatments for knee
4. 16 Water bottle ill ups
5. 66 trips to the towel

that's what Chris Fowler called "emptying the kitchen sink.

Jimmy tortured Krickstein, the Ref and the fans loved him for it.

 

[Mr.Lob]

Probably the second set. Connors led 5-1 and had set points, but it ended up going to a tiebreak where Krickstein had set point. When the tiebreak was back level, there was an awful overrule on the far-side made against Connors by the umpire, and Connors just exploded with vulgar language, and Connors kept taunting the umpire as he shrugged it off and won the set. Or maybe it was the fifth set, when Connors trailed 2-5, and got it out of it with seemingly everyone in the stadium cheering for Connors, except Aaron's dad

Ok... that was the match Connors was yelling, "Clearly out my butt, I'm out here at 41 years old busting my hump and you make a call like that!" Or, something to that effect. Thx.

 

[JCat]

Again, they didn't drift apart, they NEVER spoke again. Connors cut him off completely, a friend. No hostility, it's his choice. But considering the gamesmanship and way Connors won that match, and again the fact that it THAT match alone that made Connors Millions and Millions of dollars, it really was a jerk move.

Again, they didn't drift apart, they NEVER spoke again. Connors cut him off completely, a friend. No hostility, it's his choice. But considering the gamesmanship and way Connors won that match, and again the fact that it THAT match alone that made Connors Millions and Millions of dollars, it really was a jerk move.

I feel like that show was completely orchestrated to make viewers feel sympathy for Krickstein and to intensify the role of Connors as the villain. You were suckered into it. You even practically parrot Mary Carillo's words about Jimmy Connors making millions from that one match, yet he doesn't speak to "poor Aaron". It is obvious that Krickstein carries a lot of bitterness from that match, and he sure isn't afraid to play the sympathy card. He seems to hint that the loss of his coach and the demise of his career came about because of his loss to Connors in this match, even though his career went on fairly successfully for another couple years at least. My take on the reason they never spoke again is because Connors was aware that Krickstein was very bitter toward him. Connors knew he had crossed the line with his behavior and that Krickstein might feel he was owed an apology. Jimmy even alluded to that in the show. Jimmy Connors always felt that his matches were akin to wars, and all is fair in war. He was not going to apologize. He said in his autobiography that he tended to avoid confrontations off the court, and I think that is what he was doing. If the friendship meant as much to Krickstein as he seemed to want people to believe, then why didn't he make a move to talk to Connors? I think this show was all about creating a great side story to that famous match. They successfully did that at Jimmy Connors' expense. I don't know whether he minded or not. Probably not.

 

[BreakPoint]

From that ONE MATCH, Jimmy made millions, MILLIONS of dollars and you would think he would at least give him a call, or say hello, like any decent FRIEND would do.

How did Connors make millions of dollars from that one match?

 

[BreakPoint]

Ok... that was the match Connors was yelling, "Clearly out my butt, I'm out here at 41 years old busting my hump and you make a call like that!" Or, something to that effect. Thx.

Actually, Connors said "39 years old", since I think the match was played on his 39th birthday.

 

[Sander001]

How did Connors make millions of dollars from that one match?

Endorsements, obviously.

 

[Goosehead]

aug 30th 2011 article in sports illustrated has an article about Connors abusing the umpire in his 1991 uso sf run,

"you're an abortion..do you know that ?" was one of the quotes he was meant to have barked at the poor umpire, who just sat there and let himself be jimmied into browbeaten mental inertia. :shock:


Connors was 0-3 win/loss in 1990, had wrist op October 9th 1990 and in plaster 16weeks,

after 1989 season (jimmys last top10 was may 1989) Connors record from 1990 to career end in 1996 was 42-43 win/loss.

 

[BreakPoint]

Endorsements, obviously.

What endorsements did he gain after that match that he didn't have before the match? He was already a legend before the match. He was no up-and-comer. Heck, he was at the tail end of his career at age 39.

 

[Sander001]

What endorsements did he gain after that match that he didn't have before the match? He was already a legend before the match. He was no up-and-comer. Heck, he was at the tail end of his career at age 39.

Don't remember but he wouldn't have even needed to gain new ones to earn more money.

 

[jaggy]

Jimmy was all about Jimmy.

 

[jrepac]

I feel like that show was completely orchestrated to make viewers feel sympathy for Krickstein and to intensify the role of Connors as the villain. You were suckered into it. You even practically parrot Mary Carillo's words about Jimmy Connors making millions from that one match, yet he doesn't speak to "poor Aaron". It is obvious that Krickstein carries a lot of bitterness from that match, and he sure isn't afraid to play the sympathy card.

I agree that it was overly dramatized towards making Connors the "villain". Silly; these are two adults and if Aaron was that bothered, he could've approached Connors. He did not. And, part of the back story (supposedly) was that Aaron's dad was the one who wanted the apology from Connors. People, grow up. It's a tennis match, not a love match. Aaron was a great 5th set player and he should've won this. But go back and watch that last set carefully....Connors didn't win it because of gamesmanship...it was well crafted tennis, along w/a whole lot of guts. He parlayed the 1991 US Open into millions of dollars in sponsorships and it launched the Seniors Tour, with him as 50pct owner; sure he made a boatload. And why shouldn't he have? Because Aaron was sad, bitter and resentful?

 

[jrepac]

Jimmy was all about Jimmy.

I do believe it takes a certain narcissism to get to #1 and stay there for any length of time. the way many of the all time greats have done. Surely, Connors had a rather strong dose of it. By 1982, he could've closed up shop for good; he was "old" and written off. Instead, he re-staged his career and kept going for another decade. Gotta believe in yourself first and foremost.

 

[BreakPoint]

Don't remember but he wouldn't have even needed to gain new ones to earn more money.

OK, then how did he earn millions from that ONE MATCH as the OP stated? I don't believe he earned millions more from NEW endorsements after the match that he didn't already have before that match.

From that ONE MATCH, Jimmy made millions, MILLIONS of dollars and you would think he would at least give him a call, or say hello, like any decent FRIEND would do.

 

[TahoeTennis]

OK, then how did he earn millions from that ONE MATCH as the OP stated? I don't believe he earned millions more from NEW endorsements after the match that he didn't already have before that match.

Since that match is probably the most famous in US OPEN history, it's obvious after the ONE match Jimmy gained more endorsements, speaking engagements, sponsorships, talk show appearances, posters, book deals, posters, etc...yes FROM winning that one match. To his credit, it was one of the best comebacks ever. (not withstanding the gamesmanship and umpire abuse)

The documentary mentions how after that match he was on every magazine cover, every newspaper in the country, and probably the sporting world.

 

[Sander001]

Since that match is probably the most famous in US OPEN history, it's obvious after the ONE match Jimmy gained more endorsements, speaking engagements, sponsorships, talk show appearances, posters, book deals, posters, etc...yes FROM winning that one match. To his credit, it was one of the best comebacks ever. (not withstanding the gamesmanship and umpire abuse)

The documentary mentions how after that match he was on every magazine cover, every newspaper in the country, and probably the sporting world.

Also his current endorsements would be renegotiated and he could have stakes in entities which would also skyrocket from the notoriety.

 

[big ted]

he also put a book out about staying fit and had the match with navratilova the next year. it wasnt all because of that one match, but his whole us open run helped. also im sure he was getting higher appearance fees for exhibitions. he didnt even win the usopen but si still put him on the cover that week. if he was popular before that match (which he was), it made him twice as popular after. and theyve been playing that match during raindays for the past 20-25yrs though i think they stopped. that match (or tournament run) even helped him for people to petition one of the stadiums to be named after him if i remember

 

[jrepac]

he also put a book out about staying fit and had the match with navratilova the next year. it wasnt all because of that one match, but his whole us open run helped. also im sure he was getting higher appearance fees for exhibitions. he didnt even win the usopen but si still put him on the cover that week. if he was popular before that match (which he was), it made him twice as popular after. and theyve been playing that match during raindays for the past 20-25yrs though i think they stopped. that match (or tournament run) even helped him for people to petition one of the stadiums to be named after him if i remember

The US open at Flushing is largely what it is today because of Jimmy Connors, let's not kid ourselves. If he wasn't such an "oustider" perhaps the USTA might've named something there after him...maybe they will when he croaks.

 

[BreakPoint]

Since that match is probably the most famous in US OPEN history, it's obvious after the ONE match Jimmy gained more endorsements, speaking engagements, sponsorships, talk show appearances, posters, book deals, posters, etc...yes FROM winning that one match. To his credit, it was one of the best comebacks ever. (not withstanding the gamesmanship and umpire abuse)

The documentary mentions how after that match he was on every magazine cover, every newspaper in the country, and probably the sporting world.

Are you serious? Jimmy Connors was already extremely famous LONG before that ONE match. He won 3 of the 4 Slams in 1974. He won the US Open in '74, '76, '78, '82, & '83, and was in the finals in '75 & '77. He was in the finals of 3 of the 4 Slams in '75. He was ranked #1 in the world at year-end for 5 consecutive years in '74, '75, '76, '77, '& '78. Were you following Connors during the prime of his career in the mid-70's, like I was?

So unless you can cite actual examples of him getting new endorsements or other monetary windfall from that ONE match, I don't believe he gained any significant new endorsement due to that ONE match.

 

[Sander001]

Are you serious? Jimmy Connors was already extremely famous LONG before that ONE match. He won 3 of the 4 Slams in 1974. He won the US Open in '74, '76, '78, '82, & '83, and was in the finals in '75 & '77. He was in the finals of 3 of the 4 Slams in '75. He was ranked #1 in the world at year-end for 5 consecutive years in '74, '75, '76, '77, '& '78. Were you following Connors during the prime of his career in the mid-70's, like I was?

No and not many were either, and that's why this match was able to earn him millions because it propelled his celebrity to new heights.

Out of all those examples you listed, i cannot remember them ever playing any of them during rain delays meanwhile the '91 match was played annually.

 

[WCT]

Connors absolutely benefited enormously from that 91 run. I mean financially. He was in national tv commercials we had not seen him in before. It was the entire run, but that one match was the signature match. The one they replayed in the rain delays.

I don't know a dollar figure, but it had to be pretty significant. Plus, it probably increased his appearance fees asking price, his exhibition asking price. Maybe millions and millions is overstating it. Even if it is, it made him a bunch of money. That run made him MUCH more marketable.

 

[Mustard]

Krickstein should have done what McEnroe did with the 1980 Wimbledon final, and recognised just how huge his 1991 US Open match with Connors was. Instead, Krickstein was annoyed that it was the match that he was remembered by.

 

[jrepac]

Are you serious?
So unless you can cite actual examples of him getting new endorsements or other monetary windfall from that ONE match, I don't believe he gained any significant new endorsement due to that ONE match.

Nuprin! LOL
There were others too. Yes, he was already rich and famous. But, this the third leg of his 20 year plus career... again, he used this as a springboard to start the seniors tour. And the tour was well managed and relatively successful for a number of years.

 

[jrepac]

Krickstein should have done what McEnroe did with the 1980 Wimbledon final, and recognised just how huge his 1991 US Open match with Connors was. Instead, Krickstein was annoyed that it was the match that he was remembered by.

That's an interesting point. Krickstein has no one to be annoyed with than himself. PMac has a very different perspective than Krick on his 1st round lost to Connors during that USO. And, he does not seem bitter in the least. He knows he let it get away and sees some humor in it ("he let the genie out of the bottle"). He also acknowledged the unique nature of Connors (and other top guys), which meant it was never over until the very last point was played.

 

[WCT]

There was Nuprin, Wasn't there a Lipton Iced Tea commercial as well? Noone is saying he was in 10 different commercials, but if he got 3 or 4 that is 3 or 4 more than he was in before. He was on shows like Letterman. How many of them were there before this tourney?. It was huge, beyond ESPN and the sports pages. I remember seeing fearures on the nightly news, on entertainment shows. No doubt, it died down soon afterwards. Still, it afforded him commercial opportunities he would not have had at age 39 and no longer a top player.

I only watched that 30 for 30 once and don't recall Krickstein coming off as THAT bitter to me. Definitely some ambivalance, though. Maybe I'll watch it again. Love him or hate him, though, Connors had that place rocking that year.

 

[BreakPoint]

Connors absolutely benefited enormously from that 91 run. I mean financially. He was in national tv commercials we had not seen him in before. It was the entire run, but that one match was the signature match. The one they replayed in the rain delays.

I don't know a dollar figure, but it had to be pretty significant. Plus, it probably increased his appearance fees asking price, his exhibition asking price. Maybe millions and millions is overstating it. Even if it is, it made him a bunch of money. That run made him MUCH more marketable.

I don't think so. His career pretty much ended after that run as he never did anything significant again for the rest of his career.

As someone once said - "Show me the money!"

 

[BreakPoint]

No and not many were either, and that's why this match was able to earn him millions because it propelled his celebrity to new heights.

Out of all those examples you listed, i cannot remember them ever playing any of them during rain delays meanwhile the '91 match was played annually.

Jimmy Connors was already a legend long before that match. His celebrity peaked in the 70's when he was on lots of magazine covers and in TV commercials. Unless you can show me how he earned millions from that ONE match, I don't think showing that match during rain delays translated into actual money.

For example, if Federer got to the semis of the the US Open next year, do you think it would translate into lots of new endorsement deals? Federer is already a star, as was Connors.

 

[BreakPoint]

Nuprin! LOL
There were others too. Yes, he was already rich and famous. But, this the third leg of his 20 year plus career... again, he used this as a springboard to start the seniors tour. And the tour was well managed and relatively successful for a number of years.

So you don't think Connors could have started a seniors tour if that ONE match had never happened? Serious?

I would have gone to see Connors on the seniors tour even if he had retired in 1990.

 

[Shaolin]

Connors has always been a no class d-bag in my opinion.

Lost all respect for the guy after learning that he didn't support the player's boycott of Wimbledon in 73. I'm sure he thought he could sneak an easy win with most of the good players out.

 

[Sander001]

Jimmy Connors was already a legend long before that match. His celebrity peaked in the 70's when he was on lots of magazine covers and in TV commercials. Unless you can show me how he earned millions from that ONE match, I don't think showing that match during rain delays translated into actual money.

For example, if Federer got to the semis of the the US Open next year, do you think it would translate into lots of new endorsement deals? Federer is already a star, as was Connors.

Bringing up the Federer example demonstrates you have no clue how commercialization skyrocketed from the 70's to the 90's.

 

[Mustard]

Connors has always been a no class d-bag in my opinion.

Lost all respect for the guy after learning that he didn't support the player's boycott of Wimbledon in 73. I'm sure he thought he could sneak an easy win with most of the good players out.

I think you are describing Ilie Nastase with the bold.

Jimmy Connors wasn't a member of the ATP in 1973, unlike Ilie Nastase, Roger Taylor and Ray Keldie, who were members of the ATP and played anyway, while the other 81 ATP players boycotted the event, along with Nikola Pilic being banned.

 

[Sander001]

Saying that "not many" were following Jimbo in the 70s and thru the 80s is an absolutely ridiculous and ignorant statement.

Jimbo was on the cover of TIME (when that meant something) in 1975 and made at least 8 Sports Illustrated covers..........add the fact he was the no.1 player from 1974 - 1977 when tennis was booming and not considered a niche sport like today.
He was globally along with Ali the most recognizable American athlete thru the 70s period! Add the dating of Chrissie and the marriage to one of the most popular and famous Playboy Playmates and Jimbo was in every tabloid from London to Melbourne.

Nearly as ignorant as not being able to contextualize. Prize money and earnings have increased exponentially since the 70's, try to figure out why that is.

 

[JCat]

Tennis Used to be bigger.....

Nearly as ignorant as not being able to contextualize. Prize money and earnings have increased exponentially since the 70's, try to figure out why that is.[/QUOTE

This may be hard for you to understand or accept, but just because prize money has gotten bigger in tennis does not mean the game is more popular than it's ever been. I can only speak for my experience as a tennis fan in the United States; I don't know what it is like in other parts of the world, but tennis used to be way bigger in the 70's and 80's than it is now. I lived it. I saw it. More people actually played tennis. There were tennis courts in every neighborhood, and people actually waited in line to use the courts. You won't see that much anymore. The local television news actually used to cover tennis in the nightly newscast, and not just the Major tournaments either. The television ratings were higher back then too. Players like Evert, Connors, and McEnroe were big time celebrities. They were frequent guests on talk shows, and their names were often in the tabloid magazines. All in all, tennis just seemed more important. People talked about it. Tennis is just a niche sport now in the United States. Few people outside of hard core tennis fans really seem to care about it anymore, and it is going to get worse. There don't seem to be any American stars on the horizon, nobody who can match Connors, Evert, McEnroe, and Agassi anyway.

 

[comeback]

From that ONE MATCH, Jimmy made millions, MILLIONS of dollars and you would think he would at least give him a call, or say hello, like any decent FRIEND would do.

I have to agree with PMac in calling Connors a definite a*****e.
Let's turn this around..Connors made Krickstein a bigger name..Why are we still talking about him? Because of Connors
Didn't Krickstein become a teaching pro and play some senior events..I'll bet he commands more money because Connors put him on the map! He should be thanking Connors for making him more famous than he should be!

I know for a fact that Pmac disliked Connors..3 reasons=
1)Pmac was USTA. Connors wasn't
2) Connors "ruined" Pmac's career that same way he "ruined" Krickstein's. By staging amazing comebacks in majors vs. these 2 crybabies; Wah Wah
3) The rivalry with brother Johnny Mac whose on court antics and gamemanship were much worse than Connors.

 

[Mr.Lob]

From that ONE MATCH, Jimmy made millions, MILLIONS of dollars and you would think he would at least give him a call, or say hello, like any decent FRIEND would do.

I have to agree with PMac in calling Connors a definite a*****e.
Let's turn this around..Connors made Krickstein a bigger name..Why are we still talking about him? Because of Connors
Didn't Krickstein become a teaching pro and play some senior events..I'll bet he commands more money because Connors put him on the map! He should be thanking Connors for making him more famous than he should be!

I know for a fact that Pmac disliked Connors..3 reasons=
1)Pmac was USTA. Connors wasn't
2) Connors "ruined" Pmac's career that same way he "ruined" Krickstein's. By staging amazing comebacks in majors vs. these 2 crybabies; Wah Wah
3) The rivalry with brother Johnny Mac whose on court antics and gamemanship were much worse than Connors.

PMac and Connors use to be friends. There's a photo in Connors book with the two of them and Vitas. Connors writes he got along much better with Pmac than his brother,"Whatshisname". Connors seemed a bit surprised and hurt that Pmac bad mouthed him on his 30 for 30 espn special on Connors.

 

[JCat]

From that ONE MATCH, Jimmy made millions, MILLIONS of dollars and you would think he would at least give him a call, or say hello, like any decent FRIEND would do

From that ONE MATCH, Jimmy made millions, MILLIONS of dollars and you would think he would at least give him a call, or say hello, like any decent FRIEND would do.

I have to agree with PMac in calling Connors a definite a*****e.
Let's turn this around..Connors made Krickstein a bigger name..Why are we still talking about him? Because of Connors
Didn't Krickstein become a teaching pro and play some senior events..I'll bet he commands more money because Connors put him on the map! He should be thanking Connors for making him more famous than he should be!

I know for a fact that Pmac disliked Connors..3 reasons=
1)Pmac was USTA. Connors wasn't
2) Connors "ruined" Pmac's career that same way he "ruined" Krickstein's. By staging amazing comebacks in majors vs. these 2 crybabies; Wah Wah
3) The rivalry with brother Johnny Mac whose on court antics and gamemanship were much worse than Connors.

Bravo. You made some very good points. Both Krickstein and PMac got a little bit of revenge on Connors with that ESPN documentary. He appeared to come across as very gracious and self-deprecating in discussing the match, but Krickstein took his digs at Connors and he soaked up a lot of sympathy. His "Jimmy and I used to be pretty good friends and now he doesn't talk to me" story stole the show; and PMac calling Jimmy an A-hole was the icing on the cake. What started out as a great tribute to Jimmy Connors' competitive spirit turned into a show that focused on what an A-hole he was, "a happy A..hole." I still loved it though. Connors was one of a kind.