Match Stats/Report - McEnroe vs Connors, US Open semi-final, 1979

[Waspsting]

John McEnroe beat Jimmy Connors 6-3 6-3 7-5 in the semi-final of the US Open, 1979 on hard court

The result denied Connors a sixth successive appearance in the final, while McEnroe went on to defeat Vitas Gerulaitis in the title match to lift his first Slam trophy and what turned out to be the first of three consecutive US Open titles.

(Note: I'm missing two points - one on each players serve, both won by the server)

McEnroe serve-volleyed on all but one of his first serves - and the majority of his seconds

McEnroe won 98 points, Connors 77


Serve Stats
McEnroe....
- 1st serve percentage (53/88) 60%
- 1st serve points won (40/53) 75%
- 2nd serve points won (15/35) 43%
- Aces 9, Service Winners 1
- Double Faults 4
- Unreturned serve percentage (27/88) 31%

Connors. ...
- 1st serve percentage (70/85) 82%
- 1st serve points won (40/70) 57%
- 2nd serve points won (4/15) 27%
- Double Faults 2
- Unreturned serve percentage (15/85) 18%

Serve Pattern
McEnroe served...
- to FH 37%
- to BH 58%
- to Body 5%

Connors served...
- to FH 41%
- to BH 46%
- to Body 13%


Return Stats
McEnroe made...
- 68 (37 FH, 31 BH), including 5 runaround FHs and 2 chip-charges
- 1 Winner (1 FH)
- 15 Errors, comprising...
- 13 Unforced (8 FH, 5 BH)
- 2 Forced (2 BH)
- Return Rate (68/83) 82%

Connors made...
- 57 (20 FH, 37 BH)
- 4 Winners (2 FH, 2 BH) - 3 of them passes (1 FH, 2 BH)
- 17 Errors, comprising...
- 2 Unforced (2 BH)
- 15 Forced (6 FH, 9 BH)
- Return Rate (57/84) 68%


Break Points
McEnroe 7/9 (7 games)
Connors 3/7 (6 games)

Winners (including returns)
McEnroe 21(1 FH, 1 BH, 11 FHV, 3 BHV, 5 OH)
Connors 22 (5 FH, 11 BH, 2 FHV, 2 BHV, 2 OH)

(Note: judging by the commentary - "that was a short ball, and he really nailed it" - it's likely that Connors hit an additional winner on 1 of the missing points)

- McEnroe's FH was a return, a runaround inside-in off a second serve

- the BH was a slice that caught the top of the net and dribbled over for a winner

- 1 OH was back pedalling slightly and 1 was on the bounce from slightly behind the service line. The other 3 were putaways

- 1 BHV was to a high ball, 1 was a medium height ball into the open court and the third was a drop volley off a powerful attempted pass

- 3 FHVs were 1st volleys and 3 were 2nd volleys on serve-volley points. The best of them was a firmly pushed dtl with Connors well-positioned to reach anything placed less than perfectly

- Connors had 10 passes (3 FH, 7 BH), including 1 BH lob

- The FH passes were an inside-out return off a 1st serve, a dtl from mid-court and a regular dtl

- 2 non-pass FHs were a step-in dtl and an inside-in return

- he hit 5 BH dtl, 3 of them passes

- his most spectacular looking pass was a BH cc on the run

- 1 BH cc pass net chorded over a ready McEnroe

- 1 BHV was a swinging shot, the other a cc

- 1 FHV was an utter put away, the other was slapping down a high ball

Errors (excluding returns and serves)
McEnroe 35
- 17 Unforced (8 FH, 5 BH, 3 FHV, 1 OH)
- 18 Forced (4 FH, 3 BH, 5 FHV, 2 FH1/2V, 2 BHV, 1 BH1/2V, 1 Other)

(The 'Other' forced error is an over-the-shoulder with back to the net attempt to retrieve a lob. Technically, it's a FH)

Connors 47
- 25 Unforced (12 FH, 12 BH, 1 BHV)
- 22 Forced (6 FH, 13 BH, 2 BHV, 1 BH1/2V)

(Note: All half volleys refer to such shots played at net. Groundstroke half volleys have been included within the broader category of groundstrokes)


Net Points & Serve-Volley
McEnroe was 55/79 (69%) at net, including 44/65 serve-volleying (68%) - 31/42 (74%) off first serves, 13/23 (57%) off second serves. Curiously and for no apparent special reason, he stayed back on just 1 first serve, which drew a forced return error

He was 11/14 (79%) on all other net points, including 2/2 chip-charging the return


Connors was 14/21 (67%) at net, including 4/5 serve-volleying (80%) - 3/4 off first serves and 1/1 off second

He was 10/16 on all other net points

(Report to follow, many points of interest to this one...

 

[KG1965]

John McEnroe beat Jimmy Connors 6-3 6-3 7-5 in the semi-final of the US Open, 1979 on hard court

The result denied Connors a sixth successive appearance in the final, while McEnroe went on to defeat Vitas Gerulaitis ( https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...pen-f-mcenroe-gerulaitis.171117/#post-7695141) in the title match to lift his first Slam trophy and what turned out to be the first of three consecutive US Open titles.

(Note: I'm missing two points - one on each players serve, both won by the server)

McEnroe serve-volleyed on all but one of his first serves - and the majority of his seconds

McEnroe won 98 points, Connors 77


Serve Stats
McEnroe....
- 1st serve percentage (53/88) 60%
- 1st serve points won (40/53) 75%
- 2nd serve points won (15/35) 43%
- Aces 9, Service Winners 1
- Double Faults 4
- Unreturned serve percentage (27/88) 31%

Connors. ...
- 1st serve percentage (70/85) 82%
- 1st serve points won (40/70) 57%
- 2nd serve points won (4/15) 27%
- Double Faults 2
- Unreturned serve percentage (15/85) 18%

Serve Pattern
McEnroe served...
- to FH 37%
- to BH 58%
- to Body 5%

Connors served...
- to FH 41%
- to BH 46%
- to Body 13%


Return Stats
McEnroe made...
- 68 (37 FH, 31 BH), including 5 runaround FHs and 2 chip-charges
- 1 Winner (1 FH)
- 15 Errors, comprising...
- 13 Unforced (8 FH, 5 BH)
- 2 Forced (2 BH)
- Return Rate (68/83) 82%

Connors made...
- 57 (20 FH, 37 BH)
- 4 Winners (2 FH, 2 BH) - 3 of them passes (1 FH, 2 BH)
- 17 Errors, comprising...
- 2 Unforced (2 BH)
- 15 Forced (6 FH, 9 BH)
- Return Rate (57/84) 68%


Break Points
McEnroe 7/9 (7 games)
Connors 3/7 (6 games)

Winners (including returns)
McEnroe 21(1 FH, 1 BH, 11 FHV, 3 BHV, 5 OH)
Connors 22 (5 FH, 11 BH, 2 FHV, 2 BHV, 2 OH)

(Note: judging by the commentary - "that was a short ball, and he really nailed it" - it's likely that Connors hit an additional winner on 1 of the missing points)

- McEnroe's FH was a return, a runaround inside-in off a second serve

- the BH was a slice that caught the top of the net and dribbled over for a winner

- 1 OH was back pedalling slightly and 1 was on the bounce from slightly behind the service line. The other 3 were putaways

- 1 BHV was to a high ball, 1 was a medium height ball into the open court and the third was a drop volley off a powerful attempted pass

- 3 FHVs were 1st volleys and 3 were 2nd volleys on serve-volley points. The best of them was a firmly pushed dtl with Connors well-positioned to reach anything placed less than perfectly

- Connors had 10 passes (3 FH, 7 BH), including 1 BH lob

- The FH passes were an inside-out return off a 1st serve, a dtl from mid-court and a regular dtl

- 2 non-pass FHs were a step-in dtl and an inside-in return

- he hit 5 BH dtl, 3 of them passes

- his most spectacular looking pass was a BH cc on the run

- 1 BH cc pass net chorded over a ready McEnroe

- 1 BHV was a swinging shot, the other a cc

- 1 FHV was an utter put away, the other was slapping down a high ball

Errors (excluding returns and serves)
McEnroe 35
- 17 Unforced (8 FH, 5 BH, 3 FHV, 1 OH)
- 18 Forced (4 FH, 3 BH, 5 FHV, 2 FH1/2V, 2 BHV, 1 BH1/2V, 1 Other)

(The 'Other' forced error is an over-the-shoulder with back to the net attempt to retrieve a lob. Technically, it's a FH)

Connors 47
- 25 Unforced (12 FH, 12 BH, 1 BHV)
- 22 Forced (6 FH, 13 BH, 2 BHV, 1 BH1/2V)

(Note: All half volleys refer to such shots played at net. Groundstroke half volleys have been included within the broader category of groundstrokes)


Net Points & Serve-Volley
McEnroe was 55/79 (69%) at net, including 44/65 serve-volleying (68%) - 31/42 (74%) off first serves, 13/23 (57%) off second serves. Curiously and for no apparent special reason, he stayed back on just 1 first serve, which drew a forced return error

He was 11/14 (79%) on all other net points, including 2/2 chip-charging the return


Connors was 14/21 (67%) at net, including 4/5 serve-volleying (80%) - 3/4 off first serves and 1/1 off second

He was 10/16 on all other net points

(Report to follow, many points of interest to this one...

1979 was the year of Borg, an incredible year.
But McEnroe also exploded.
He had already won great tournaments in 1978 (Wembley, Stockholm and Masters GP) but made a masterpiece in Dallas disintegrating Connors in the semifinal and passing Borg in the final.

Borg had been eliminated by Tanner in NY and in the semi-final Connors was too exhausted for that Supermac.

Jimmy had come from an incredible year where he had lost 5 or 6 matches and also started 1979 very well but then he was a disaster for the rest of the season.
In the meantime he married Patti McGuire.

 

[Waspsting]

Match Report
An unmemorable match, other than the third set which featured high levels of play from both players. That aside, McEnroe was good throughout while Connors was indifferent

Mac went up a break early in all three sets. In the first, he added another to threaten a rout before Connors pulled one back to make the scoreline look a bit more respectable. In the second, the younger player nursed the break through the end, where he broke again to seal the set. In the third, Connors broke back and the pair exchanged breaks - the second half of which was when Mac served for the match. Mac eventually broke to seal the match

Beyond those bare bones, there were a number of things that struck me as interesting in the match

- Connors' serve, apathy to approach, low percentage groundstrokes and strategic game plan

His serve, including the first, was as harmless as a firecracker. McEnroe returned it at will, with just two unforced errors on the return. No hint of a service winner, let alone an ace.... other than not winning cheap points, whatever initiative he has was neutralized within a shot or two.

Its a wonder to me that a player can compete at the top without utilizing the potential of the serve, the most important shot in the game. Some of it was McEnroe's ability to return - but mostly, it seems to me that almost anybody could get Connors' serve back with minimal difficulty

Connors' game plan was maybe sub-optimal as well. He was looking to attack, but mostly from the baseline. Even though it was pretty clear he had his work cut out getting the ball through Mac

He didn't approach off the short ball much. He looked to be looking to... taking a step or two in after striking Mac's shorter groundshots, but was hesitant and usually erred on the side of safety and stayed back. One senses that he was apprehensive of Mac's passing shots - there weren't enough in the match to determine whether this was justified.

Instead, he tried to be "attacking" from the back of the court, hitting big groundstrokes. Did this work against most people? It seemed very low percentage to me... he was hitting big shot and after big shot, which Mac was able to cover and get back with no great force but also without dropping back from the baseline. Often, Connors made the unforced error in these situations

I've heard and seen bits of how flat Connors' strokes are, but was still surprised at the extent in this match. Parts of the match are shown through a low camera angle, allowing for easy assessment of this and Connors hits a lot of shots (particularly when he's attacking) as flat as you can get, an inch or two over the net

Given that he obviously couldn't put away many winners this way, I thought it was crazily low percentage to persist with it. He was bound to make many errors - and did.

He didn't seem to have a particular plan to beat Mac from the baseline, as in he didn't target the FH or the BH. Rather, he worked it all around - hitting big groundstrokes all around and seeing what came up. Not much did. Mac stood close to the baseline and used his usual variety of shots to get the ball back

McEnroe's attacking instincts - underdeveloped from what they would become

McEnroe at his peak (84-85) is attacking the net artistry. From what I've seen, he became keen to take the net, but not in a hurray. He could and did play from the back until the right moment, while throwing in a few quick & ready approaches to doubly keep his opponents under pressure and watchful. And there was no fixed pattern to the way he approached, he seemed to have dozens of ways

In this match, he's much more patterned. Chip-charged the return just twice (won both points)... which is interesting given the Connors serve. A few years later I think Mac would have fancied himself to chip-charge at any time and have a good shot at winning the point. Sometimes, he chooses not to approach on Connors' short balls too

This shows respect for the Connors pass (not wholly warranted, Mac comfortably got the better of the 50-50 situations with him at net) but more than that, less confidence than he came to gain in his abilities at net

A note on how volleying has changed over time

There were a number of situations where a tight at net Mac faced off against a stepping in Connors with time to line up his passing shot. The first game of the third set had 4 such points. Connors did not hold back on the passes - he absolutely belted them

And Mac made the volleys. Without undue difficulty.

Even making allowance for Mac's superb ability at net, I can confidently assert this would absolutely not be the situation today. The kind of situation I'm talking about would be closer to what I call a "sitting duck" pass more than a 50-50 situation

We've had a few discussions on the forum about how the quality of volleying has gone down drastically. I'm sure it has.... but note that volleying in the modern game against passing shots from a modern racquet are a category apart from 1979 - going on the evidence of this match (the corresponding advantage to the volleyer is relatively small, though present due to the bigger racquet heads)

Nobody in their right mind today would stay as close to the net as Mac did with Connors stepping inside the court to hit his pass attempt

That said, I think Connors would have fared well in todays game. He doesn't get full reward for his aggressive groundstrokes - flat as can be and powerful - these would be winners today. He reminds me of Agassi

...Connors was too exhausted for that Supermac.

Thanks for the context, KG. And you always key in on the critical stats of any match!

Connors looked a bit heavier than I've seen him. The commentators talked about a stiff back and I noticed him tending to it subtly a couple of times - I wouldn't have noticed if not pointed out by the commentators.

I get the feeling Connors is old school, never-complain-or-make-an-issue of injury type, which I admire

Mac looked a bit tired mid-way through the third set, just as things started getting more difficult. I don't know... Mac strikes me a bit like Andy Murray, when things aren't going so well, suddenly he's more expressive of not feeling great, but I've seen very little so can't come to any strong conclusions

Both guys had a go at the umpire. Mac told him "You're a turkey", without getting too angry at one point. After a hotter outburst, Connors fixed Mac with a funny you're-a-drama-queen look and made it a point to serve-volley, put away the winner, do an elaborate celebratory dance and probably shout things at the younger player the next point

 

[jrepac]

I have not seen this one, as it's not one of their best. If Connors had an injury, he would've concealed it, as he did w/many of them over the years. If he could walk, he was going to play, period. Mac, at his best, had amazing anticipation and stellar hands. At his best, he could pick off the passing shots of the best (Borg, JC, Lendl) with amazing ease. He makes it look just a little too easy. Connors reminds you of Agassi? I'd say Agassi reminds me of Connors. A bit more weight on some shots, but a little less fleet of foot (and at net). The core elements of their games are quite similar. Re: Connors serve, really, Mac was one of the few that really pounded it, in my opinion. It was not a great serve, but generally effective. Being a lefty, he could pull it wide or down the middle when needed as well. He just never had the "acing" power of a Mac or Lendl. I think when Mac was a little "off" and Connors had the attacking game going was when JC could keep him off balance and hurt him. But, he had to keep the error rate low and force the issue w/Mac. At his best, he was probably still a bit better than Mac at the backcourt, but not by much.

 

[Xavier G]

If I recall correctly, from the World of Tennis Yearbook 1980 (dealing with the tennis year 1979), by some accounts from players who'd met Jimmy in '79, his passing shots didn't have quite have the same zip on them compared to the past and he may lost a step in pace. As KG1965 has mentioned, Jimmy had got married in the meantime (and in addition, had been the man at the top of the rankings for so long). He'd had a very strong 1978 too. I feel he may have lost some hunger for the game in '79.

McEnroe, on the other hand, was the young brash 20 year old kid on the rise and really hitting his stride. He took his first Slam championship at that 1979 US Open.

 

[KG1965]

hat aside, McEnroe was good throughout while Connors was indifferent

On Mac there is little to add, match perfect: mental, physical, strokes, strategy. Connors seems abusive. He was largely in 1979.

His serve, including the first, was as harmless as a firecracker. McEnroe returned it at will, with just two unforced errors on the return. No hint of a service winner, let alone an ace.... other than not winning cheap points, whatever initiative he has was neutralized within a shot or two.
Its a wonder to me that a player can compete at the top without utilizing the potential of the serve, the most important shot in the game. Some of it was McEnroe's ability to return - but mostly, it seems to me that almost anybody could get Connors' serve back with minimal difficulty

Connors' serve was poor compared to all the opponents, but there were better years (1974, 1982, 1983), in the period 1979-81 it was a nonexistent shot.

Connors' game plan was maybe sub-optimal as well. He was looking to attack, but mostly from the baseline. Even though it was pretty clear he had his work cut out getting the ball through Mac

t's a seriously negative aspect. But the good thing is that without serve = arm has won so much.

Connors' game plan was maybe sub-optimal as well. He was looking to attack, but mostly from the baseline. Even though it was pretty clear he had his work cut out getting the ball through Mac

He didn't approach off the short ball much. He looked to be looking to... taking a step or two in after striking Mac's shorter groundshots, but was hesitant and usually erred on the side of safety and stayed back. One senses that he was apprehensive of Mac's passing shots - there weren't enough in the match to determine whether this was justified.

compared to the matches of the previous years does not persist with continuity towards the net-game, is not a problem of this match, indicatively since 1978 changes game strategy and remains more in the background. the strategic game plan that served, seems to be absent in this match, but I think it affects the fact that he feels too far from Mac in that period of 1979. He knows he is not at the height.
The approach is not decided, I think the change in strategy compared to the previous period has had a negative impact, Jimmy was used to doing a lot of forcing and now he could not anymore.

but was hesitant

hesitant is the term perfect.

I've heard and seen bits of how flat Connors' strokes are

I think this is Connors' real strength/arm

He didn't seem to have a particular plan to beat Mac from the baseline, as in he didn't target the FH or the BH. Rather, he worked it all around - hitting big groundstrokes all around and seeing what came up. Not much did. Mac stood close to the baseline and used his usual variety of shots to get the ball back

even from the baseline does not seem to know how to do (reminds me very much some matches of 1984 (in the middle he had found however the way)

This shows respect for the Connors pass (not wholly warranted, Mac comfortably got the better of the 50-50 situations with him at net) but more than that, less confidence than he came to gain in his abilities at net

I think he feared the passing-shot of C., overestimating him for that match.

 

[WCT]

This match would be a prime example of Connors simply not coming in as much as he used to. Simply not coming in on balls he used to come in on.

Obviously, he is playing Mcenroe who is coming in much more than other opponents. Coming in on all first serves and most of his seconds. That basically leaves Connors own serve points for him to come in. I get that. That said, he's still not coming in nearly as quickly. Not, IMO.

I felt Connors may have tweaked his back. He wore that sweater a long time. And there are several times, in his movements, that I got the impression his back was bothering him. Nothing I ever recall him talking about, though.

It just continued the trend of a subpar year. He was beaten badly at the WCT and Wimbledon and was upset by a lesser player in Paris.

 

[Gizo]

The day before this match, the tournament doctor treated Connors for back strain and muscle spasms, and said that it was pretty severe.

He then had a look at him on the morning of the match, and was amazed how quickly he responded to his treatment (medications and a back brace) over night. It was inevitable that the injury would re-occur as the match progressed, but to be fair to Connors in typical fashion he didn't complain and just got on with it. Mac wasn't pleased to be asked about Connors's back problems in his interview afterwards. He had been annoyed that when recording his first ever win over Connors at the 1978 Masters, Connors had retired a few games into the 2nd set denying him full satisfaction, but Connors did have problem with blisters in his left foot that day.

It felt that once Mac was at the net he was totally in charge and had all the time in the world, and he was able to mix up the pace of his shots to throw Connors off balance and draw errors from him, especially from his backhand wing.

Connors mocking Mac following a temper tantrum mid-way through the 2nd set was pretty funny.

Mac said that choked a bit as he failed to serve out the match at the first opportunity in the 3rd set, but still he was able to wrap a 2nd convincing win over Connors after demolishing him in their WCT Finals semi-final earlier in the year.

 

[KG1965]

The day before this match, the tournament doctor treated Connors for back strain and muscle spasms, and said that it was pretty severe.

He then had a look at him on the morning of the match, and was amazed how quickly he responded to his treatment (medications and a back brace) over night. It was inevitable that the injury would re-occur as the match progressed, but to be fair to Connors in typical fashion he didn't complain and just got on with it. Mac wasn't pleased to be asked about Connors's back problems in his interview afterwards. He had been annoyed that when recording his first ever win over Connors at the 1978 Masters, Connors had retired a few games into the 2nd set denying him full satisfaction, but Connors did have problem with blisters in his left foot that day.

It felt that once Mac was at the net he was totally in charge and had all the time in the world, and he was able to mix up the pace of his shots to throw Connors off balance and draw errors from him, especially from his backhand wing.

Connors mocking Mac following a temper tantrum mid-way through the 2nd set was pretty funny.

Mac said that choked a bit as he failed to serve out the match at the first opportunity in the 3rd set, but still he was able to wrap a 2nd convincing win over Connors after demolishing him in their WCT Finals semi-final earlier in the year.

I did not know it and I thank you. I remembered the blisters that caused the withdrawal to the MSG instead.

 

[WCT]

Man, I don't even remember that stuff about the treatment the day before and day of the match. I remember the sweater. Connors started without one then put it on. I've seen the reverse where he started with one on and then removed it once warmed up. But put one on after he was warmed up? This was the only time I recall. That and I seem to recall him feeling his back once or twice.

It was nothing obvious, though. I don't remember his movement being noticeably hampered. He gave no obvious signs that he was hurt. This wasn't the 1985 semi with Lendl where he was limping like crazy between some points.

I've seen some of the points online, but haven't seen the full match since I watched it live. I do remember Mcenroe blowing that 3rd set lead. IIRC, Connors might have had a break point in the 11th game. Then Mcenroe held and broke in the next game to win the match. Hell, even if Connors broke and won the 3rd, he's still got 2 sets to go.

I too recall that blister at the Masters. Then Connors won their next 2 matches before Mcenroe killed him in Dallas. That was the year that Dallas was not shown live. I mean the finals, not in New York. 78 was it's last year on NBC. In 79, WCT showed it in syndication months after it was played. Same way they did with their special events like the WCT challenge cup.

 

[WCT]

Man, I don't even remember that stuff about the treatment the day before and day of the match. I remember the sweater. Connors started without one then put it on. I've seen the reverse where he started with one on and then removed it once warmed up. But put one on after he was warmed up? This was the only time I recall. That and I seem to recall him feeling his back once or twice.

It was nothing obvious, though. I don't remember his movement being noticeably hampered. He gave no obvious signs that he was hurt. This wasn't the 1985 semi with Lendl where he was limping like crazy between some points.

I've seen some of the points online, but haven't seen the full match since I watched it live. I do remember Mcenroe blowing that 3rd set lead. IIRC, Connors might have had a break point in the 11th game. Then Mcenroe held and broke in the next game to win the match. Hell, even if Connors broke and won the 3rd, he's still got 2 sets to go.

I too recall that blister at the Masters. Then Connors won their next 2 matches before Mcenroe killed him in Dallas. That was the year that Dallas was not shown live. I mean the finals, not in New York. 78 was it's last year on NBC. In 79, WCT showed it in syndication months after it was played. Same way they did with their special events like the WCT challenge cup.

 

[WCT]

Man, I don't even remember that stuff about the treatment the day before and day of the match. I remember the sweater. Connors started without one then put it on. I've seen the reverse where he started with one on and then removed it once warmed up. But put one on after he was warmed up? This was the only time I recall. That and I seem to recall him feeling his back once or twice.

It was nothing obvious, though. I don't remember his movement being noticeably hampered. He gave no obvious signs that he was hurt. This wasn't the 1985 semi with Lendl where he was limping like crazy between some points.

I've seen some of the points online, but haven't seen the full match since I watched it live. I do remember Mcenroe blowing that 3rd set lead. IIRC, Connors might have had a break point in the 11th game. Then Mcenroe held and broke in the next game to win the match. Hell, even if Connors broke and won the 3rd, he's still got 2 sets to go.

I too recall that blister at the Masters. Then Connors won their next 2 matches before Mcenroe killed him in Dallas. That was the year that Dallas was not shown live. I mean the finals, not in New York. 78 was it's last year on NBC. In 79, WCT showed it in syndication months after it was played. Same way they did with their special events like the WCT challenge cup.

 

[WCT]

Man, I don't even remember that stuff about the treatment the day before and day of the match. I remember the sweater. Connors started without one then put it on. I've seen the reverse where he started with one on and then removed it once warmed up. But put one on after he was warmed up? This was the only time I recall. That and I seem to recall him feeling his back once or twice.

It was nothing obvious, though. I don't remember his movement being noticeably hampered. He gave no obvious signs that he was hurt. This wasn't the 1985 semi with Lendl where he was limping like crazy between some points.

I've seen some of the points online, but haven't seen the full match since I watched it live. I do remember Mcenroe blowing that 3rd set lead. IIRC, Connors might have had a break point in the 11th game. Then Mcenroe held and broke in the next game to win the match. Hell, even if Connors broke and won the 3rd, he's still got 2 sets to go.

I too recall that blister at the Masters. Then Connors won their next 2 matches before Mcenroe killed him in Dallas. That was the year that Dallas was not shown live. I mean the finals, not in New York. 78 was it's last year on NBC. In 79, WCT showed it in syndication months after it was played. Same way they did with their special events like the WCT challenge cup.

 

[WCT]

Man, I don't even remember that stuff about the treatment the day before and day of the match. I remember the sweater. Connors started without one then put it on. I've seen the reverse where he started with one on and then removed it once warmed up. But put one on after he was warmed up? This was the only time I recall. That and I seem to recall him feeling his back once or twice.

It was nothing obvious, though. I don't remember his movement being noticeably hampered. He gave no obvious signs that he was hurt. This wasn't the 1985 semi with Lendl where he was limping like crazy between some points.

I've seen some of the points online, but haven't seen the full match since I watched it live. I do remember Mcenroe blowing that 3rd set lead. IIRC, Connors might have had a break point in the 11th game. Then Mcenroe held and broke in the next game to win the match. Hell, even if Connors broke and won the 3rd, he's still got 2 sets to go.

I too recall that blister at the Masters. Then Connors won their next 2 matches before Mcenroe killed him in Dallas. That was the year that Dallas was not shown live. I mean the finals, not in New York. 78 was it's last year on NBC. In 79, WCT showed it in syndication months after it was played. Same way they did with their special events like the WCT challenge cup.

 

[WCT]

Man, I don't even remember that stuff about the treatment the day before and day of the match. I remember the sweater. Connors started without one then put it on. I've seen the reverse where he started with one on and then removed it once warmed up. But put one on after he was warmed up? This was the only time I recall. That and I seem to recall him feeling his back once or twice.

It was nothing obvious, though. I don't remember his movement being noticeably hampered. He gave no obvious signs that he was hurt. This wasn't the 1985 semi with Lendl where he was limping like crazy between some points.

I've seen some of the points online, but haven't seen the full match since I watched it live. I do remember Mcenroe blowing that 3rd set lead. IIRC, Connors might have had a break point in the 11th game. Then Mcenroe held and broke in the next game to win the match. Hell, even if Connors broke and won the 3rd, he's still got 2 sets to go.

I too recall that blister at the Masters. Then Connors won their next 2 matches before Mcenroe killed him in Dallas. That was the year that Dallas was not shown live. I mean the finals, not in New York. 78 was it's last year on NBC. In 79, WCT showed it in syndication months after it was played. Same way they did with their special events like the WCT challenge cup.

 

[WCT]

Sorry for all those duplicate posts. Not my intent I can assure you.

 

[Waspsting]

Connors reminds you of Agassi? I'd say Agassi reminds me of Connors. A bit more weight on some shots, but a little less fleet of foot (and at net).

From my perspective - a function of my age, nothing more. I grew up watching Agassi, Connors' peak was before my time and I'm catching up on it now

I think if they'd been contemporaries, they'd have been even more similar. I've been re-watching some Agassi matches, and he was better at net than I remember (though rarely coming in). He also didn't need to - he could force the point to its conclusion from the baseline

Connors by contrast did come in and was, as you say, better at net. And he needed to because he couldn't force the point to its conclusion from the baseline

That's completely a product of racquet tech... I agree with you, Connors if anything, hits harder than Agassi did.

Re: Connors serve, really, Mac was one of the few that really pounded it, in my opinion. It was not a great serve, but generally effective. Being a lefty, he could pull it wide or down the middle when needed as well. He just never had the "acing" power of a Mac or Lendl

Put it this way; If Connors served to Connors, I think the returner would be licking his lips and the server would... have to devote more energy than normal to controlling his bladder

In this match, the Connors serve is a little weaker than your describing it. McEnroe didn't "really pound" it or try to... he just got it back comfortably

As for direction, of course he went both directions with it but kept it well within the box and safe ... its not like he was forcing Mac to stretch for the returns

Basically, he looked like he was serving on clay... just roll it out to start the point. But there was scope on this hard court to do damage with the serve

I'm not one to draw conclusions from 1 or 2 matches, I'm doing a few more Mac-Connors matches and will keep an eye out for it

"Generally effective" sounds like a bare minimum requirement for serving to me. Among the top players of the day (say regular top 10ers) how many would you say had a softer serve than Connors?

 

[KG1965]

Serve Pattern
McEnroe served...
- to FH 37%
- to BH 58%

Mac always serves on the bh.

 

[Drob]

Excellent.

 

[aliceinpains]

Mac had a nice advantage playing the US Open, as that was his home State.