‘A*sh*le, Egomaniac Pr*ck’ – A Young Andre Agassi Received a Big Jolt as Jimmy Connors’ Attitude Affirmed Locker Room Talk About Him Back in 1988

During his time on the court, American tennis great Jimmy Connors was among the very best. The 70-year-old has won eight Grand Slam tournaments. While he is undoubtedly one of the most revered and successful tennis players of all time, he was someone who was accused by others for being irritable both on and off the court.

He had even crossed the field to get in his opponents’ faces and screamed at the umpires and swore at them. The 4-time Australian Open winner, Andre Agassi, in his autobiography, stated how he once got a harsh reality check about Jimmy Connors. He explained the latter’s behavior reciprocated what everyone had already suspected.

Andre Agassi once received a harsh reality check about Jimmy Connors’ conduct

The 4-time Australian Open winner Andre Agassi released his autobiography, ‘Open’, in 2009. The memoir includes several important descriptions and insights into his struggles on and off the court, dislike for tennis, his father dropping out of high school, etc. 

He has also mentioned a few interesting aspects of his rival and compatriot, Jimmy Connors, as well. Agassi mentioned how Connors’ attitude, back when he played against him for the first time in 1988, completely took him by surprise. He noted, “At the U.S. Open I reach the quarters. I’m due to face Jimmy Connors. Before the match I approach him meekly in the locker room and remind him that we once met. In Las Vegas? I was four? You were playing at Caesars Palace? We hit some balls together? Nope, he says.” 

READ MORE: ‘Stumbled Into One Hell of a Life’ – When ‘Anti-establishment’ Andre Agassi Discussed His Crazy Fashion Phase That Meddled With His Tennis Career

He further mentioned, “This gibes with everything I’ve heard about Connors from other players. A*sh*le, they say. Rude, condescending, egomaniac pr*ck. But I thought he’d treat me differently, I thought he’d show me some love, given our longtime connection.”

Talking about Jimmy Connors and Andre Agassi’s head-to-head record, the two have played twice against each other in 1988 and 1999, with the latter winning both contests.

What are Agassi and Connors doing now?

Despite the fact that Connors had a productive tennis career in his forties, he retired from the sport in 1996. Ever since then, he dabbled in coaching for a while. Furthermore, he’s worked in fields ranging from broadcasting to punditry. 

WATCH THE STORY: Andre Agassi’s long-time coach voiced out disagreement with Chris Evert over Serena Williams’ ranking controversy in 2018

The eight-time Grand Slam winner, Agassi, on the other hand, has dedicated himself to helping underprivileged children. His, the Andre Agassi Foundation, helps Nevada’s youth get access to educational opportunities and other resources. The 52-year-old also tried his hand at coaching for a while, just like Connors. He had an unsuccessful stint as the head coach of the 21-time Grand Slam champion, Novak Djokovic.