In 1982, Jimmy Connors beat John McEnroe 7-5, 6-3 in the Queens Club final on grass
Connors would go onto beat McEnroe in the final of the upcoming Wimbledon also
Connors won 68 points, McEnroe 57
Connors serve-volleyed off almost all his first serves and rarely off second. McEnroe serve-volleyed off all first serves and most seconds
(Note: I'm missing four McEnroe service points - two won by McEnroe, two by Connors)
Serve Stats
Connors...
- 1st serve percentage (38/51) 75%
- 1st serve points won (31/38) 82%
- 2nd serve points won (6/13) 46%
- Aces 1
- Double Faults 3
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (14/51) 27%
McEnroe....
- 1st serve percentage (45/70) 64%
- 1st serve points won (32/45) 71%
- 2nd serve points won (9/25) 36%
- Aces 7, Service Winners 1
- Double Faults 4
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (25/70) 36%
Serve Patterns
Connors served...
- to FH 44%
- to BH 56%
McEnroe served....
- to FH 36%
- to BH 61%
- to Body 3%
Return Stats
Connors made...
- 41 (14 FH, 27 BH), including 2 runaround BHs
- 5 Winners (2 FH, 3 BH)
- 16 Errors, all forced...
- 16 Forced (5 FH, 11 BH), including 1 runaround BH attempt
- Return Rate (41/66) 62%
McEnroe made...
- 34 (18 FH, 16 BH), including 1 return-approach
- 2 Winners (1 FH, 1 BH)
- 13 Errors, comprising...
- 1 Unforced (1 BH)
- 12 Forced (3 FH, 9 BH), including 1 return-approach attempt
- Return Rate (34/48) 71%
Break Points
Connors 4/11 (5 games)
McEnroe 1/1
Winners (including returns, excluding serves)
Connors 21 (3 FH, 6 BH, 8 FHV, 3 BHV, 1 OH)
McEnroe 12 (2 FH, 3 BH, 3 FHV, 2 BHV, 2 OH)
Connors had 8 from serve-volley points
- 2 first volleys (1 FHV, 1 BHV)
- 6 second volleys (3 FHV, 2 BHV, 1 OH)
- 8 passes (3 FH, 5 BH)
- FHs - 2 cc (1 return) and 1 dtl return
- BHs - 1 cc, 1 at net (net-to-net point), 2 dtl returns and 1 inside-in return
- 1 other FHV was hit net-to-net and 1 was a drop volley
- 1 BH inside-out, the sole baseline-baseline winner in the match
McEnroe had 8 from serve-volley points
- 3 first volleys (2 FHV, 1 BHV)
- 5 second 'volleys' (1 FHV, 1 BHV, 2 OH, 1 BH at net)
- 4 passes (2 FH, 2 BH)
- FHs - 1 cc and 1 inside-out return
- BHs - 1 cc and 1 inside-out return
Errors (excluding serves and returns)
Connors 15
- 5 Unforced (2 FH, 3 BH)
- 10 Forced (3 FH, 5 BH, 2 BHV)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 46
McEnroe 27
- 6 Unforced (1 FH, 1 BH, 3 FHV, 1 BHV)
- 21 Forced (4 FH, 8 BH, 6 FHV, 1 FH1/2V, 1 BHV, 1 OH)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 50
(Note 1: All 1/2 volleys refer to such shots played at net. 1/2 volleys played from other parts of the court are included within relevant groundstroke numbers)
(Note 2: the Unforced Error Forcefulness Index is an indicator of how aggressive the average UE was. The numbers presented for these two matches are keyed on 4 categories - 20 defensive, 40 neutral, 50 attacking and 60 winner attempt)
Net Points & Serve-Volley
Connors was...
- 36/42 (86%) at net, including...
- 30/35 (86%) serve-volleying, comprising...
- 27/32 (84%) off 1st serve and...
- 3/3 off second serve
McEnroe was...
- 33/56 (59%) at net, including...
- 32/54 (59%) serve-volleying, comprising...
- 24/37 (65%) off 1st serve and...
- 8/17 (47%) off second serve
--------------------------------
- 0/1 return-approaching
- 1/1 forced back
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Match Report
Splendid match from Jimmy Connors, outplaying McEnroe in almost all areas. In particular, volleying proves to be the key
Its a serve-volley fest. Connors typically serves a high percentage (75%) and comes in behind all but 5 of them (and he's usually look to approach from rallying situations when he doesn't). McEnroe does come in behind all first serves and most seconds
Serving & Returning
McEnroe obviously has the bigger and better serve, showcased in his superiority in unreturned serves (36% to 27%) and aces/service winners (8 to 1), but Connors is said to have improved his serve significantly recently by the commentators (Dan Maskell, I think). It doesn't look particularly 'improved' to me but he is putting all his weight behind the shot rather than rolling it in as he was wont to do. He gives an effortful grunt to enhance the impression of giving it his all, but visually its clear; he's hitting it as hard as he can - and still it isn't being hit all that hard. But enough to be a competent. In other late '70s early '80s matches of his Connors' serve by contrast, looks like a gift to the returner, an open invitation to have a go... at least that isn't the case here
That, the quick low bouncing surface and support of regular serve-volleying makes the serve relatively effective. Rarely is Mac stretched or overpowered when returning.... the forced nature of the return errors he makes is based on pressure of Connors being at net or the innate vagaries of returning on grass... not on some new, wonder serve
Mac by contrast has an effective first shot by any standard. Sharp angles, power (compared to his opponent) and disguise are all there. As his ace count suggests, he draws a number of genuine forced errors that would be a handful to return even on a slower surface or without a serve-volleying support
The difference on the key shot is compensated for by the difference in the opposite direction in the two men's returning. Connors takes big full swings and takes them early, giving Mac awkward first volleys. He also reaches some difficult balls and manages to get them back with surprising authority. Mac doesn't falter on return but isn't anywhere near Connors' standard either.... he puts the ball in play mostly with touch rather than power
Volleying & Passing
This is the decisive factor
Connors volleys fantastically - better than I've seen him - and though not pretty of style, I've never seen him volley badly. He scarcely misses a volley (just two forced errors - both to very low balls - and not a single unforced). He makes low volleys - he faces about 6-8 of them in the match - and gets them over deep and well placed. and to anything slightly under or slightly over net high... he's precise and takes charge of the point with the volley (though rarely actually putting it away). Mac would have needed to have an outstanding passing day to cope... which he doesn't. 86% net points won... one of the highest I've tracked from anyone coming in so much
Credit here to Connors' volleying, not discredit to Mac's passing
Mac's facing a heftier return and heavier passing shots than Connors (the compensation for which is his lead in unreturned serves) but isn't at his best at the front. Struggles with balls just below the net hit with above average power. Shows little of the touch he's renowned for - no drop or stop volleys. 4 unforced volleying errors - most of them not easy, but by definition, not hard either - speaks to his sub-par volleying. The 9 forced volleying/half-volleying/smash errors speaks to Connors' passing and returning prowess. A combination of the two results in McEnroe struggling at net.... certainly more than Connors did
Beyond that, McEnroe shows next to no intent in capturing the net. Sans serve-volleying, he only approaches twice - and 1 was a chip-charge return as Connors was serve-volleying. There was scope for him to seek out the net with Connors staying back from time to time and Mac himself declining to come in behind some second serves.... but he doesn't seem to be interested
Not that it would have been easy to do so. From the baseline, Connors is comfortably the stronger player. Mac does win the best of these points though... down break point, he stays back off a second serve and holds his own in an 18 point rally. Comes in, is pushed back, comes in again and eventually, forces a passing error
----
Connors holds more comfortably throughout the match. Mac is first broken in game 5 of the first set in an extended, 18 point affair and has to save two break points in his next service game. Mac does break back to love later as Connors was serving for the set (the only break chance he has all match), but is broken right back
In the second set, Mac manages to reach deuce once in a game Connors overdoes the attempts at strong serving and double faults twice in three points. He does so once in the next game too. Other than these little lapses, Connors holds comfortably and handily breaks Mac twice by forcing volleying errors, hitting heavy returns and passing with power
Summing up, a convincing win for Connors. His volleying in particular is top notch, while he retains enough of the vigour on returning and passing that he's known for to stump Mac. For the younger player, an adequate showing, but just up against a better player on the day
Connors would go onto beat McEnroe in the final of the upcoming Wimbledon also
Connors won 68 points, McEnroe 57
Connors serve-volleyed off almost all his first serves and rarely off second. McEnroe serve-volleyed off all first serves and most seconds
(Note: I'm missing four McEnroe service points - two won by McEnroe, two by Connors)
Serve Stats
Connors...
- 1st serve percentage (38/51) 75%
- 1st serve points won (31/38) 82%
- 2nd serve points won (6/13) 46%
- Aces 1
- Double Faults 3
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (14/51) 27%
McEnroe....
- 1st serve percentage (45/70) 64%
- 1st serve points won (32/45) 71%
- 2nd serve points won (9/25) 36%
- Aces 7, Service Winners 1
- Double Faults 4
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (25/70) 36%
Serve Patterns
Connors served...
- to FH 44%
- to BH 56%
McEnroe served....
- to FH 36%
- to BH 61%
- to Body 3%
Return Stats
Connors made...
- 41 (14 FH, 27 BH), including 2 runaround BHs
- 5 Winners (2 FH, 3 BH)
- 16 Errors, all forced...
- 16 Forced (5 FH, 11 BH), including 1 runaround BH attempt
- Return Rate (41/66) 62%
McEnroe made...
- 34 (18 FH, 16 BH), including 1 return-approach
- 2 Winners (1 FH, 1 BH)
- 13 Errors, comprising...
- 1 Unforced (1 BH)
- 12 Forced (3 FH, 9 BH), including 1 return-approach attempt
- Return Rate (34/48) 71%
Break Points
Connors 4/11 (5 games)
McEnroe 1/1
Winners (including returns, excluding serves)
Connors 21 (3 FH, 6 BH, 8 FHV, 3 BHV, 1 OH)
McEnroe 12 (2 FH, 3 BH, 3 FHV, 2 BHV, 2 OH)
Connors had 8 from serve-volley points
- 2 first volleys (1 FHV, 1 BHV)
- 6 second volleys (3 FHV, 2 BHV, 1 OH)
- 8 passes (3 FH, 5 BH)
- FHs - 2 cc (1 return) and 1 dtl return
- BHs - 1 cc, 1 at net (net-to-net point), 2 dtl returns and 1 inside-in return
- 1 other FHV was hit net-to-net and 1 was a drop volley
- 1 BH inside-out, the sole baseline-baseline winner in the match
McEnroe had 8 from serve-volley points
- 3 first volleys (2 FHV, 1 BHV)
- 5 second 'volleys' (1 FHV, 1 BHV, 2 OH, 1 BH at net)
- 4 passes (2 FH, 2 BH)
- FHs - 1 cc and 1 inside-out return
- BHs - 1 cc and 1 inside-out return
Errors (excluding serves and returns)
Connors 15
- 5 Unforced (2 FH, 3 BH)
- 10 Forced (3 FH, 5 BH, 2 BHV)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 46
McEnroe 27
- 6 Unforced (1 FH, 1 BH, 3 FHV, 1 BHV)
- 21 Forced (4 FH, 8 BH, 6 FHV, 1 FH1/2V, 1 BHV, 1 OH)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 50
(Note 1: All 1/2 volleys refer to such shots played at net. 1/2 volleys played from other parts of the court are included within relevant groundstroke numbers)
(Note 2: the Unforced Error Forcefulness Index is an indicator of how aggressive the average UE was. The numbers presented for these two matches are keyed on 4 categories - 20 defensive, 40 neutral, 50 attacking and 60 winner attempt)
Net Points & Serve-Volley
Connors was...
- 36/42 (86%) at net, including...
- 30/35 (86%) serve-volleying, comprising...
- 27/32 (84%) off 1st serve and...
- 3/3 off second serve
McEnroe was...
- 33/56 (59%) at net, including...
- 32/54 (59%) serve-volleying, comprising...
- 24/37 (65%) off 1st serve and...
- 8/17 (47%) off second serve
--------------------------------
- 0/1 return-approaching
- 1/1 forced back
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Match Report
Splendid match from Jimmy Connors, outplaying McEnroe in almost all areas. In particular, volleying proves to be the key
Its a serve-volley fest. Connors typically serves a high percentage (75%) and comes in behind all but 5 of them (and he's usually look to approach from rallying situations when he doesn't). McEnroe does come in behind all first serves and most seconds
Serving & Returning
McEnroe obviously has the bigger and better serve, showcased in his superiority in unreturned serves (36% to 27%) and aces/service winners (8 to 1), but Connors is said to have improved his serve significantly recently by the commentators (Dan Maskell, I think). It doesn't look particularly 'improved' to me but he is putting all his weight behind the shot rather than rolling it in as he was wont to do. He gives an effortful grunt to enhance the impression of giving it his all, but visually its clear; he's hitting it as hard as he can - and still it isn't being hit all that hard. But enough to be a competent. In other late '70s early '80s matches of his Connors' serve by contrast, looks like a gift to the returner, an open invitation to have a go... at least that isn't the case here
That, the quick low bouncing surface and support of regular serve-volleying makes the serve relatively effective. Rarely is Mac stretched or overpowered when returning.... the forced nature of the return errors he makes is based on pressure of Connors being at net or the innate vagaries of returning on grass... not on some new, wonder serve
Mac by contrast has an effective first shot by any standard. Sharp angles, power (compared to his opponent) and disguise are all there. As his ace count suggests, he draws a number of genuine forced errors that would be a handful to return even on a slower surface or without a serve-volleying support
The difference on the key shot is compensated for by the difference in the opposite direction in the two men's returning. Connors takes big full swings and takes them early, giving Mac awkward first volleys. He also reaches some difficult balls and manages to get them back with surprising authority. Mac doesn't falter on return but isn't anywhere near Connors' standard either.... he puts the ball in play mostly with touch rather than power
Volleying & Passing
This is the decisive factor
Connors volleys fantastically - better than I've seen him - and though not pretty of style, I've never seen him volley badly. He scarcely misses a volley (just two forced errors - both to very low balls - and not a single unforced). He makes low volleys - he faces about 6-8 of them in the match - and gets them over deep and well placed. and to anything slightly under or slightly over net high... he's precise and takes charge of the point with the volley (though rarely actually putting it away). Mac would have needed to have an outstanding passing day to cope... which he doesn't. 86% net points won... one of the highest I've tracked from anyone coming in so much
Credit here to Connors' volleying, not discredit to Mac's passing
Mac's facing a heftier return and heavier passing shots than Connors (the compensation for which is his lead in unreturned serves) but isn't at his best at the front. Struggles with balls just below the net hit with above average power. Shows little of the touch he's renowned for - no drop or stop volleys. 4 unforced volleying errors - most of them not easy, but by definition, not hard either - speaks to his sub-par volleying. The 9 forced volleying/half-volleying/smash errors speaks to Connors' passing and returning prowess. A combination of the two results in McEnroe struggling at net.... certainly more than Connors did
Beyond that, McEnroe shows next to no intent in capturing the net. Sans serve-volleying, he only approaches twice - and 1 was a chip-charge return as Connors was serve-volleying. There was scope for him to seek out the net with Connors staying back from time to time and Mac himself declining to come in behind some second serves.... but he doesn't seem to be interested
Not that it would have been easy to do so. From the baseline, Connors is comfortably the stronger player. Mac does win the best of these points though... down break point, he stays back off a second serve and holds his own in an 18 point rally. Comes in, is pushed back, comes in again and eventually, forces a passing error
----
Connors holds more comfortably throughout the match. Mac is first broken in game 5 of the first set in an extended, 18 point affair and has to save two break points in his next service game. Mac does break back to love later as Connors was serving for the set (the only break chance he has all match), but is broken right back
In the second set, Mac manages to reach deuce once in a game Connors overdoes the attempts at strong serving and double faults twice in three points. He does so once in the next game too. Other than these little lapses, Connors holds comfortably and handily breaks Mac twice by forcing volleying errors, hitting heavy returns and passing with power
Summing up, a convincing win for Connors. His volleying in particular is top notch, while he retains enough of the vigour on returning and passing that he's known for to stump Mac. For the younger player, an adequate showing, but just up against a better player on the day
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