By Ashley Brownstein
I’m a tennis fan or I should say a big time tennis fan. So when I got the e-mail asking if I’d like the opportunity to interview the legendary Jimmy Connors, I didn’t even think before I responded yes. Connors is part of a new “Legends of Boca Experience” offering at the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Florida and spoke with me about the project and his musings on the current state of tennis.
Ashley Brownstein (AB): Roger Federer at 34 is playing some of his best tennis. You had your magical run at 39. Do you think this is a new trend?
Jimmy Connors (JC): No I don’t think this will be a trend. Too many things have to go your way in order to play into your later thirties especially when it comes to injuries. I think that Roger definitely looks like he is having fun out there and playing some high quality tennis. But I do think it’s sad when guys don’t push enough and walk away too soon and are retiring at 29, 30 and all of a sudden you see them playing on the senior tour. I walked away because as you get older you find you just simply can’t compete with the younger guys.
AB: I’m sure you’ve heard this before; your 4th round match against Aaron Krickstein is the most common replay during rain delays. How do you feel about Arthur Ashe stadium roof essentially taking away rain delays?
JC: Well, virtually the USTA paid $600 million to make sure that it isn’t shown anymore, I say with a twinkle in my eye (laughs). So I’m not a roof fan. We had a good run for 20-25 years so not bad. From a business point of view of course I understand it, but I’m not a roof fan. The roof move provides different kinds of conditions… more winning conditions in my opinion. So I think it can give others an edge that they might not have already had.
AB: When you watch up and coming players do you take note more of their mental attitude or physical talents?
JC: That’s something you can’t access until you sit down and have a conversation. Are they capable of a killer instinct, how is their mind reacting to different shots? Too many things you won’t know until you sit down and talk.
AB: I re-watched your 30 for 30 “This is What They Want” and you said “it’s amazing it takes one shot, one noise, one click, one clap, one boo, one whatever to come in a match to change everything around” is that game day advice you give when coaching?
JC: No that was something I used for myself. I was paying attention to that, to 20,000 people and feeding off of it. For me it worked and I knew what worked for me but I don’t think that is for everyone.
AB: Do you ever wish there were more personalities in tennis today?
JC: (Smiles) I think we had more than enough in my day. It’s just different now back then there really weren’t any rules. We could really challenge and swing from the hip. Every guy had his own style on and off the court. I was really out there chasing a dollar. You know I played about 43-45 weeks a year. The turnaround was so different. Now guys have 4-5 weeks in between Wimbledon and the Open. In my day, I didn’t have the chance to take that kind of time. I just dropped off the kids and was on my way. Now there are so many changes and so many boundaries on court; too many boundaries in my opinion.
AB: After I’m sure a million memories playing at the Open are you going to say good-bye to your beloved Louis Armstrong Stadium?
JC: No I’ve said good-bye already and it can go. We are definitely parting as friends with a lot of great memories.
AB: What would you like to see for the future of Tennis and for your future?
JC: My passion is tennis. It’s in my heart. It is what I love to do. I was looking for a new change from spending part of my time in California and I now am a part of a new family of people in Boca, Florida. It’s a great new change with a brand that can really take tennis to a whole new level. I really want people to come to Boca and to learn to play with us; you’re in the best surrounding, best place to hone your skill and take your game to a higher level. The Legends of Boca is such an exciting experience, and you get to meet a lot interesting, great people.
Sometimes I find that it’s difficult to gauge and describe a person’s reaction just through print. But I can certainly say without a doubt that Jimmy Connors lit up when talking about his future in Boca Raton. To see a legendary champion still so invested, passionate and in love with the game is what makes him timeless to me. He still loves talking about the game and reminiscing about his days as a player but also looks forward to passing on his knowledge and insight to future stars or just those who want to better understand tennis. We definitely have not seen or heard the last of him. And speaking of reminiscing, I couldn’t help but ask Jimmy whether or not John McEnroe has a spot at the dinner table; and he does.
The Legends of Boca Experience is a four-day, three-night escape featuring Connors offering guests a multitude of luxurious amenities and activities including a chance to spend a half-day with Connors himself; receiving private tennis instruction or enjoying a round of golf and gaining inspirational insight over lunch at one of the resort’s acclaimed restaurants. The three-night package is priced at $20,000 for two people. To book the offer, please visit http://waldorfastoria3.hilton.com/en/about/unforgettableexperiences.html or visit here: http://www.tennishotspots.com/boca-raton-resort-club-a-waldorf-astoria-resort-debuts-20k-legends-of-boca-experience-featuring-tennis-great-jimmy-connors/
Ashley Brownstein; 2009 Marist Graduate with a major degree in Communications: Radio/TV/Film and minor in Business. A former Junior USTA player and currently working for the West Side Tennis Club as an Administrative Assistant in Marketing& Social Media as well as Tennis Reporting.
