‘U.S.A. Emblazoned Across His Chest’- ‘Annoyed’ Jimmy Connors Expressed the Moment He Hated the Legendary Arthur Ashe the Most

Jimmy Connors and Arthur Ashe were hailed as revoltionary tennis players during their playing careers. But they were also notorious for their on and off-court battles as they often engaged in ferocious debates.

The two American tennis legends had a strained relationship. Ashe once stated that Connors was playing for money as he was involved in various non-sanctioned challenge matches at that time. They even had a feud when Connors refused to participate in the Davis Cup event. Unsurprisingly, even Connors once vented out his frustration on Ashe.

Jimmy Connors once talked about his strained relationship with Arthur Ashe

Ashe once slammed Jimmy Connors for his lack of enthusiasm for the Davis Cup tournament. However, Connors also came out to express his frustration with Ashe. He stated, “All he had to do was come up and talk to me face to face, man to man, but he chose not to,”

Connors stated that Ashe didn’t come talk to him in person as he only left a note for him in the locker during the Wimbledon. He further added, “It annoyed me, but not so much as when he walked out on Centre Court wearing his Davis Cup jacket, with U.S.A. emblazoned across his chest.”

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He expressed his frustration with Ashe for not speaking directly to him. Later, he was impressed to see him in the Davis Cup jacket he was wearing as he stepped out on Centre Court. Connors was amused to see Ashe’s pride in representing his country in the Davis Cup competition.

Jimmy Connors, a statistical marvel

Connors was known for his ferocious shot-making and his two-handed backhand. In his illustrious tennis career, he attained unprecedented heights by winning eight major singles titles. Connors won five US Opens and two Wimbledon Championships. In 1974, he also won an Australian Open.

The French Open was one of Connors’ trickiest tournaments. He made it to the competition’s semifinal rounds four times, but was unable to reach any final in his career. In addition, Connors owns the Open Era record for the most championship won (109). He also held the No. 1 world ranking from 1974 to 1978.

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