Arthur Ashe The Genius Upsets World #1 Jimmy Connors 1975

Connors was taught to hit the ball on the rise by his teaching-pro mother, a technique he used to defeat the opposition in the early years of his career. Hitting the ball on the rise enabled Connors to reflect the power and velocity of his opponents back at them. In the 1975 Wimbledon final, Arthur Ashe countered this strategy by taking the pace off the ball, giving Connors only soft junk shots (dinks, drop shots, and lobs) to hit.

Ashe and Connors did not get along, as Ashe frequently criticized Connors for playing in lucrative exhibitions instead of representing his country in Davis Cup competition. Connors' racial insensitivity also played a role, as while playing Ashe in an exhibition in South Africa, he derisively complained that the pro-Ashe crowd reminded him of Harlem. When Connors had three legs of the grand slam in hand, he was denied the opportunity to play the French Open and sued Ashe, et al., due to Ashe's role in the ban. They settled out of court after Ashe defeated Connors in the 1975 Wimbledon final. The enmity Connors held for Ashe continued even after Ashe's death, as Connors refused to attend the U.S. Open Champions Ceremony during the christening of Arthur Ashe Stadium in 1997.

In an era where serve and volley was the norm, Björn Borg excepted, Connors was one of the few players to hit the ball flat, low, and predominantly from the baseline. Connors hit his forehand with a continental grip and with little net clearance. Some considered his forehand to be his greatest weakness, especially on extreme pressure points, as it lacked the safety margin of hard forehands hit with topspin. His serve, while accurate and capable, was never a great weapon for him as it did not reach the velocity and power of his opponents.

His lack of a dominating serve and net game, combined with his individualist style and maverick tendencies, meant that he was not as successful in doubles as he was in singles, although he did win Grand Slam titles with Ilie Năstase and Chris Evert and amassed 15 doubles titles during his career.

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[ChaunceyDos]

Reading Levels of the Game. Never gave much thought about Ashe, but beginning to realize what a unique, admirable guy/tennis player he was. They couldn't have picked a better American to name that stadium after.

[Basinstreetfollies]

I miss you Mr.Arthue Ashe ..how dare the media blast your Hiv/aids illness all over the newspaper. The blood transfusion he received in 1985 or ? Resulted in his infection,,ailment and final his passing. I HATE reporters they should report on Child Molester's..instead,,

[capetowntennis]

people forget what an unpleasant character Connors was in his earlier years. he has been good for the sport though. Mc Enroe and Connors where almost identical in character.

[blaharns]

No doubt Connors was one of the greatest assholes in tennis history.