The seven biggest rivalries in men's tennis history, part 3: Ivan Lendl vs. Jimmy Connors
We look back on rivalries that have shaped tennis. Part three of our, of course extremely subjective, review: the duels between Ivan Lendl and Jimmy Connors.
by tennisnet.com
last edit:
Mar 18, 2020, 07:38 pm
So who was Ivan Lendl's bigger rival: John McEnroe or Jimmy Connors? Or maybe Boris Becker? The fact is: Lendl had a positive record against all three named at the end of his career: Against Connors 22:13, against McEnroe 21:15 and against Becker 11:10. In terms of age, McEnroe would have been Lendl's natural rival, the two are only a little more than a year apart. Jimmy Connors, on the other hand, brought seven years of life and tennis experience onto the court than Lendl, who was born in Czechoslovakia, while Becker is seven years younger.
The development of the duels with Connors has been remarkable over the years. The American, still the record holder with 109 titles on the professional tour, won the first eight matches against Lendl. From the premiere in 1979 in Indianapolis to the Davis Cup quarter-finals in 1981. And didn't even give a sentence. It was bitter for Connors at the back: The 2-6, 4-6 loss in 1984 at Wembley marked the start of a series of 17 matches, all of which went to Lendl. The very last at the 1992 US Open in round two, in which Ivan Lendl was able to assert himself in four sets.
Connors beats Lendl in two US Open finals
It was also the US Open where Jimmy Connors was able to keep his younger rival at a distance. For a long time, Ivan Lendl was considered the best player who has never won a Grand Slam tournament. Connors played his part in defeating the Czechs in the Flushing Meadows final in 1982 and 1983. Lendl's breakthrough only came in 1984 on Roland Garros, where he defeated John McEnroe after a 2-2 deficit.
A few weeks later it was Connors again, with whom Lendl had to deal - in the semi-finals of Wimbledon, the experienced left-hander prevailed. A pattern that should continue over the career of Ivan Lendl: On Church Road in London, it was never enough for a really big triumph, two finals in 1986 (defeat against Becker) and 1987 (defeat against Pat Cash) remained the greatest feeling .
Lendl more successful as a coach
After their active careers, Connors and Lendl tried their hand at coaching. The American initially looked after his fellow countryman Andy Roddick, this liaison lasted for at least 20 months. Already after a match with Maria Sharapova, Jimmy Connors decided that working together would not be successful.
Ivan Lendl, on the other hand, was much more successful in his time with Andy Murray, whom he led to his first Grand Slam success at the US Open and the long-awaited triumph at Wimbledon. But Lendl was also not infallible as a coach: the cooperation with Alexander Zverev did not work in the hoped-for success at Grand Slam tournaments, and was ended rather unadorned over the phone last summer.
The facts
| Ivan Lendl | Jimmy Connors | |
| born | 1960 | 1952 |
| Tournament victories | 94 (including eight Grand Slam titles) | 109 (including eight Grand Slam titles) |
| Head to head | 22 victories | 13 victories |
Encounters on the ATP tour
| year | Tournament (rubber) | winner | Result |
| 1992 | US Open (hard court) | Lendl | 3: 6, 6: 2, 6: 2, 6: 0 |
| 1988 | Montreal (hard court) | Lendl | 6: 4, 6: 4 |
| 1987 | New York, Masters (Hall / Carpet) | Lendl | 4: 3, task |
| 1987 | US Open | Lendl | 6: 4, 6: 2, 6: 2 |
| 1987 | Toronto (hard court) | Lendl | 7: 5, 6: 4 |
| 1987 | Washington DC (hard court) | Lendl | 6: 4, 7: 6 |
| 1987 | Key Biscayne (hard court) | Lendl | 3: 6, 7: 6, 7: 6, 6: 3 |
| 1986 | Stratton Mountain | Lendl | 6: 4, 3: 6, 6: 2 |
| 1986 | Fort Myers (hard court) | Lendl | 6: 2, 6: 0 |
| 1986 | Boca West (hard court) | Lendl | 1: 6, 6: 1, 6: 2, 2: 6, 5: 2, disqu. |
| 1985 | US Open (hard court) | Lendl | 6: 2, 6: 3, 7: 5 |
| Stratton Mountain | Lendl | 6: 0, 4: 6, 6: 4 | |
| Roland Garros (sand) | Lendl | 6: 2, 6: 3, 6: 1 | |
| Dallas (hall / carpet) | Lendl | 6: 3, 2: 1, task | |
| Fort Myers (hard court) | Lendl | 6: 3, 6: 2 | |
| 1984 | New York Masters (hall / carpet) | Lendl | 7: 5, 6: 7, 7: 5 |
| Wembley (hall / carpet) | Lendl | 6: 4, 6: 2 | |
| Tokyo (hall / carpet) | Connors | 6: 4, 3: 6, 6: 0 | |
| Wimbledon (lawn) | Connors | 6: 7.6: 3, 7: 5, 6: 1 | |
| Forest Hills (sand) | Lendl | 6-0, 6-0 | |
| 1983 | New York Masters (hall / carpet) | Lendl | 6: 3, 6: 4 |
| 1983 | US Open (hard court) | Connors | 6: 3, 6: 7, 7: 5, 6: 0 |
| 1983 | Totonto (hard court) | Lendl | 6: 1, 6: 3 |
| 1983 | Queen's Club (lawn) | Connors | 6: 0, 6: 3 |
| 1982 | New York, Masters (Hall / Carpet) | Lendl | 6: 3, 6: 1 |
| 1982 | US Open (hard court) | Connors | 6: 3, 6: 2, 4: 6, 6: 4 |
| 1982 | Cincinnati (hard court) | Lendl | 6: 1, 6: 1 |
| 1981 | Davis Cup quarter-finals (hard court) | Connors | 7: 5, 6: 4 |
| 1981 | La Quinta (hard court) | Connors | 6: 3, 7: 6 |
| 1980 | New York, Masters (Hall / Carpet) | Connors | 7: 6, 6: 1 |
| 1980 | Cincinnati (hard court) | Connors | 6: 2, 6: 0 |
| 1980 | North Conway (sand) | Connors | 6: 4, 6: 2 |
| 1980 | Dallas (hard court) | Connors | 6: 4, 7: 5, 6: 3 |
| 1980 | Memphis (hard court) | Connors | 6: 2, 6: 3 |
| 1979 | Indianapolis (hard court) | Connors | 6: 2, 7: 6 |