"No matter how hard I tried, it didn't match up to Jimmy Connors" - When John McEnroe credited fellow American legend for teaching him about hard work
John McEnroe once praised Jimmy Connors, admitting he could never match his arch-rival's "effort" on the court. He made these comments after they both retired and were playing on the ATP Champions Tour.
McEnroe and Connors clashed 34 times between 1977 and 1991, with the former holding a slight 20-14 advantage. Their rivalry was known for its intensity and frequent heated moments. McEnroe even accused the older American of manipulating fans against him during one of their matches.
Their rivalry extended beyond the tennis court, with both taking shots at each other in the media. However, there was mutual respect, and as they aged, their rivalry softened, mellowing into a more cordial relationship.
One memorable moment of mutual respect came during a 1998 interview ahead of John McEnroe’s Champions Tour tournament in Dallas, Texas. He showered Jimmy Connors with praise, saying (via The Independent):
"I've learned a lot of things from Jimmy, for example the effort level. I have never seen anybody try as hard as him. No matter how hard I tried, and I consider that pretty hard, it didn't match up to him. So once again he was one up on me."
"He is still playing amazing tennis. I have no idea how he does it, he's incredible. He must put a lot more time into it than he admits to. He is still obsessed with the game. I don't see myself doing this for more than another year or two because you can't half-a** it," he added.
John McEnroe on his relationship with Jimmy Connors: "We always had respect for each other"
During a 2018 appearance on 'In Depth with Graham Bensinger', John McEnroe discussed his relationship and rivalry with Jimmy Connors. He shared that although they didn’t like each other, he always respected Connors, and there was no bad blood between them off the court.
"We don't like each other and I think if we were in a room now, we could talk. We always had respect for each other. I always respected Jimmy Connors," McEnroe said.
"The only guy's that ever tried on a tennis court harder than Jimmy Connors is Rafael Nadal in my book, and he's (Connors) not far behind," he added.
The seven-time Major champion continued:
"Every time I look in the mirror before I play him or someone else, I say to myself 'Am I trying as hard as Jimmy Connors?' I hope that I made him better and I know he made me better."