Björn Borg VS Jimmy Connors: Wimbledon SF 1981 [(Part 1 of 4) HD]

**Borg and Connors met in the Semi-Finals of Wimbledon in 1981**

Here told is the story of an exciting match between two legends of tennis, Björn Borg, and Jimmy Connors.

Borg is legendary for his speed on court as well as his explosive yet effortless and light footwork, his ability to hit stunning passing shots, his incredible resilience and mental strength, and his excellent adaptability. Any vulnerability or weakness that he may have been feeling in matches during the tough moments were almost never revealed; his cool, icy and stoic demeanour, expressing a clear and intimidating aura on the court.

Borg won 11 majors during the span of his career, 6 Roland Garros titles, and 5 straight Wimbledon titles. Most of all, he is legendary for being incredibly dominant on clay, and having been able to win the Roland Garros/Wimbledon double on 3 seperate occasions. Perhaps, Borg's most iconic moments were his Wimbledon triumph over John McEnroe in 1980, and his shocking retirement at the tender age of 26!

Jimmy Connors was as fierce a competitor as you could ever wish to meet (or not meet) on the tennis courts. Well known for his meticulous footwork, flat, hard, penetrating ground-strokes, and fiery, spirited temperament, Jimmy Connors would go on to amass 8 majors and a professional career which was to last more than 20 years. He arrived long before Borg at the tail-end of Rosewall's and Laver's careers, and finished long, long after Borg had announced his retirement in 1982. Thus, Connors faced a cavalcade of great tennis champions over the span of several distinct eras!

Jimmy's two handed backhand was a lethal stroke, and one which he could hit inside-out with unusual and perhaps not-seen-since ease. His aggressive return game and the cleanness of his hitting is arguably only really comparable to Andre Agassi.

*** THE MATCH ***

Borg had no answers for Connors accurate aggression during the opening exchanges of the match. Connors hit with excellent depth and penetration off both wings, having an unusually good day with his forehand, and dictated to Borg in the rallies with ease. Connors produced superb tennis to open up a clear initiative, but would it prove to be decisive?

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[kchuk1965]

thanks for the great quality upload. i never did get to see this match back in the day. i don't remember why. but maybe its a good thing i didn't. when i saw the scoreline i wondered what had happened. it had been years since connors had beaten Borg. and to beat him at the Big W would have been special.

[FederersL1ama]

@kchuk1965

I'm glad you folks have enjoyed some of these highlights. I have been quiet recently but have a few more projects which I plan on producing and uploading within the next few weeks.

[Techtribal1990]

Great tennis. What I like is the sound has been captured nicely on this video, no doubt remastered and updated.

[carlanzetti]

As a swede, I remember seeing this live, and i was chocked at Connors's 6-0-kill of Borg in the first set... i thought he was gonna be totally crashed... but like Borg used to do at Wimbledon, ha came back on top...

[christophthepope]

This kind of baseline play is reminiscent of the Djoker/Nadal final this year

[kchuk1965]

@RonnieLeeDuck up until 78 at least even if connors lost the matches were competitive after that a lot of the matches were ugly. in that long stretch it is the 1981 W match that is the aberration. face it Connors was a great player but Borg was just better. i think it was the serve that made the difference.

[kchuk1965]

@RonnieLeeDuck due respect Ronnie but from 1977 on Borg won 14 of the 16 matches they played including the last ten they played from 1979 thru Borg's retirement. Connors beta Borg at the USO in 1975 and 1976 both tough matches ( 7-5 7-5 7-5 and the 4 setter in 76 ). the 76 match was tight. the long tiebreaker was decisive. connors won the 78 uso easily but Borg had a very bad blister. borg absolutely demolished connors at W in 78 and 79. ugly losses for connors fans like myself.

[RonnieLeeDuck]

@kchuk1965 Not really true. Connors beat Borg handily in 3 US Opens. The real odd Connors loss to Borg was the 1981 USO. This was when Borg was getting burnt out on Tennis. Connors took Borg to 5 sets in this match at Wimbledon. Then at the US Open semis Connors lost in straight sets to Borg.  Borg in turn got dominated by McEnroe.

[theone225]

WOW, Nadal is the modern day borg

Wristbands, Bandanas, Long Hair

Dominent Force on Clay & also Grass

Buggy Whip Forehand and Amazing Speed

Supreme Passing Shots

ONE OF THE GREATS

[veniceb112]

borg kinda founded the modern game when u watch this match, its all about pace and good ball striking between these two players.

[Scoclamor]

Last match Borg won at Wimbledon. Coincidentally, the last match he won at the US Open was over Connors.

[Scoclamor]

@Kallytom Yep. Borg won their last 10 matches.