Every legend has a story worth telling. That would be the case of Jimmy Connors, who once dominated the tennis courts with his prowess. Clinching a record of 109 titles and eight Grand Slams over the span of 24 years, he made quite the legacy. However, alongside his accolades, Connors had a penchant for getting riled up on the court with banter either with his opponents or the crowd. While most were all fun and games, the American legend seems to have had his off days as well.

Speaking on the Advantage Connors podcast on Saturday, he revealed a moment from his matches against Bjorn Borg at the 1977 Wimbledon Championships final. The American found himself in a tense situation, tied at two sets each against Borg. As he rallied from being down four games in the fifth set to bring it back to four-all, Connors felt he was gaining momentum, serving at 15-love. However, a distracting remark from a spectator prompted him to respond, which ultimately disrupted his focus. He said, “I let somebody break my concentration. That was the problem, you know.”

This lapse in focus proved costly; after responding to the heckler, he lost his momentum and did not win another point, ultimately losing the match 3–6, 6–2, 6–1, 5–7, 6–4. He noted that players often get distracted by the most unexpected things, “a little thing can happen that can change everything. A sound, a voice, a call, somebody from the stands.” In the end, it was the heckler from the stands that did it for Connors. But he learned his lesson from this incident, stating, “I didn’t let that happen again. But it cost me…that it did, it could have cost me a Wimbledon win.”

In a humorous twist, when Brett Connors asked Jimmy if he ever looked for the fan who broke his concentration during the match, Jimmy replied that he remembers “his name to this day.” This incident was not an isolated one for the tennis legend. Connors is known for his quick wit and banter with hecklers during matches. His reputation for engaging with fans in the arena has often caught him off guard. Leading to memorable exchanges that add a unique flair to his competitive spirit.

Connors received backlash and an unforgettable comeback at the same event

1977 seemed to have been the year that the eight time Grand Slam champion faced a significant backlash. One such moment came after he missed the Parade of Champions at Wimbledon, where he was to be honored by the Duke of Kent. The former American tennis star revealed in ‘The Outsider: My Autobiography,’ that he skipped the ceremony due to a thumb injury that required him to test a new splint. While Connors intended no disrespect, the media erupted in outrage, with headlines criticizing his absence and labeling it as a snub. He recalled, “The bad news was that the press went into a full tabloid frenzy when I didn’t make the parade.”

During the event, he found himself frustrated by a heckler while driving back to his hotel. As he rolled down the window, ready to confront the individual, he heard a cheeky remark in a Cockney accent: “Nice one, Connors. F**k the Duke!” The heckler then stuck out his middle finger, adding to Connors’ irritation.

Despite the controversy surrounding his absence, Connors remained focused on his performance on the court. When he stepped onto Centre Court for his first-round match against Richard Lewis, he was met with boos from fans who were unhappy about his decision to miss the parade. However, Connors quickly silenced his critics by delivering an impressive victory, winning the match 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. He embraced his role as the “villain” in the eyes of the media and fans, stating he was unbothered by their reactions.

Connors’ experience highlighted how a seemingly small incident could spiral into a major controversy. Reflecting on the situation, he remarked on how distractions can change everything in a match. Despite the backlash from Wimbledon officials, Connors channeled his frustration into his game. He proved that he could rise above the noise.