Jimmy Connors reveals how his wife kept him "grounded and in check" after he won matches during his tennis career
Tennis great Jimmy Connors credits his wife for 'keeping him grounded' and for reminding him to keep working hard whenever he felt proud after a victory during his illustrious career. Connors opened up on a recent chat with boxing legend Mike Tyson about managing egos as an elite athlete.
Connors won the most professional matches (1,274) of any male player in the Open Era, and he still holds the record even 26 years after his retirement. Reflecting on his career, the American said there were instances when he felt he was 'the best' player around, which showed in his attitude after winning matches.
Every time that happened, however, Connors' wife Patti McGuire reminded him to stay grounded and "get down to work." Speaking during a recent episode of the Advantage Connors podcast with Mike Tyson and his son Brett Connors, the 70-year-old revealed a funny exchange that often took place between him and his wife back in the day.
"You ask about ego. There were times when I've walked in after a match and I've played well and everything," Jimmy Connors said.
"All of a sudden, I thought I'm 'It', and my wife Patti is like, 'Let me explain this to you. You were good out there, but you ain't nothing here. Get down to work'...That's what kept me pretty grounded and kept me in check," he added.
Connors further stated that while it was sometimes hard for him to digest the conversation, he eventually realized that it was for his betterment.
"Sometimes it's hard to take but it's well worth it," the 12-time Grand Slam singles champion expressed.
"That never leaves you; that feeling, that passion" - Jimmy Connors on occasionally still playing tennis
Jimmy Connors, who turned 70 last month, also revealed that he still plays tennis from time to time. Connors said that he continues to harbor a love for tennis, 26 years after retiring from the tour, but feels satisfied as soon as he hits just one shot while playing on the court.
Connors believes that an athlete stops playing a sport only because age catches up with him/her or if they decide to pursue something else, and that the passion always remains alive.
"That never leaves you. That feeling, that passion that you've had for so long," Jimmy Connors said.
"Sometimes, age, when it catches up with you or you decide to take a different path, that little feeling that you have is just kind of put on hold," he added. "Sometimes when I go and play tennis, I hit one shot and I say, 'Aah.' It's just the feeling of such satisfaction of still being able to do something that I did."
Jimmy Connors' record of most matches won by a male player in the Open Era is set to remain intact for at least a few more years. Roger Federer came closest to breaking the record, but finished his career with 1,251 wins, 23 short of Connors' record.
Rafael Nadal is now the active player with most career matches won; the Spaniard has 1,066 wins to his name.