Connors–Lendl rivalry
This was a tennis rivalry played between American Jimmy Connors and the Czech-American Ivan Lendl, which in their respective careers met 35-times.[1]
Lendl and Connors were both world number ones and both Grand Slam winners with the pair of them winning eight slams titles. At the Grand Slams they met seven times with Lendl winning the final four meetings with Connors winning the first three, of which the first two were finals. The rivalry between the two and McEnore has been described as spikey.[2]
The rivalry was first noted in the 1982 US Open final when Connors dared Lendl to drive the ball past him. Connors subsequently won the final in four sets. In the rematch in 1983, Connors was rushed to the locker room late in the second set before coming back out to defeat Lendl once again in four sets. The final match up between the two was at the US Open, Connors for a set and a half pushed Lendl before falling to his 17th defeat in 8 years to Lendl.[3]
Head to head
Connors—Lendl (13–22)
- Note:The ABD victory does not count according to the ATP World Tour.
| Year | Tournament | Surface | Round | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | US Open | Hard | R64 | Ivan Lendl | 3–6, 6–3, 6–2, 6–0 |
| 1988 | Montreal / Toronto | Hard | S | Ivan Lendl | 6–4, 6–4 |
| 1987 | NY-Masters | Carpet | RR | Ivan Lendl | 4–3 RET |
| 1987 | US Open | Hard | S | Ivan Lendl | 6–4, 6–2, 6–2 |
| 1987 | Montreal / Toronto | Hard | S | Ivan Lendl | 7–5, 6–4 |
| 1987 | Washington | Hard | S | Ivan Lendl | 6–4, 7–6 |
| 1987 | Key Biscayne | Hard | S | Ivan Lendl | 3–6, 7–6, 7–6, 6–3 |
| 1986 | Stratton Mountain | Hard | S | Ivan Lendl | 6–4, 3–6, 6–2 |
| 1986 | Fort Myers | Hard | F | Ivan Lendl | 6–2, 6–0 |
| 1986 | Boca West | Hard | S | Ivan Lendl | 1–6, 6–1, 6–2, 2–6, 5–2 DEF |
| 1985 | US Open | Hard | S | Ivan Lendl | 6–2, 6–3, 7–5 |
| 1985 | Stratton Mountain | Hard | S | Ivan Lendl | 6–0, 4–6, 6–4 |
| 1985 | Roland Garros | Clay | S | Ivan Lendl | 6–2, 6–3, 6–1 |
| 1985 | Dallas | Carpet | S | Ivan Lendl | 6–3, 2–1 RET |
| 1985 | Fort Myers | Hard | F | Ivan Lendl | 6–3, 6–2 |
| 1984 | New York City | Carpet | S | Ivan Lendl | 7–5, 6–7, 7–5 |
| 1984 | Wembley | Carpet | S | Ivan Lendl | 6–4, 6–2 |
| 1984 | Tokyo Indoor | Carpet | F | Jimmy Connors | 6–4, 3–6, 6–0 |
| 1984 | Wimbledon | Grass | S | Jimmy Connors | 6–7, 6–3, 7–5, 6–1 |
| 1984 | Forest Hills WCT | Clay | S | Ivan Lendl | 6–0, 6–0 |
| 1984 | Rotterdam | Carpet | F | Ivan Lendl | ABD |
| 1983 | New York City | Carpet | S | Ivan Lendl | 6–3, 6–4 |
| 1983 | US Open | Hard | F | Jimmy Connors | 6–3, 6–7, 7–5, 6–0 |
| 1983 | Montreal / Toronto | Hard | S | Ivan Lendl | 6–1, 6–3 |
| 1983 | London, Queen's Club | Grass | S | Jimmy Connors | 6–0, 6–3 |
| 1982 | New York City | Carpet | S | Ivan Lendl | 6–3, 6–1 |
| 1982 | US Open | Hard | F | Jimmy Connors | 6–3, 6–2, 4–6, 6–4 |
| 1982 | Cincinnati | Hard | S | Ivan Lendl | 6–1, 6–1 |
| 1981 | TCH V USA QF | Hard | RR | Jimmy Connors | 7–5, 6–4 |
| 1981 | La Quinta | Hard | F | Jimmy Connors | 6–3, 7–6 |
| 1980 | New York City | Carpet | RR | Jimmy Connors | 7–6, 6–1 |
| 1980 | Cincinnati | Hard | Q | Jimmy Connors | 6–2, 6–0 |
| 1980 | North Conway | Clay | S | Jimmy Connors | 6–4, 6–2 |
| 1980 | Dallas WCT | Carpet | S | Jimmy Connors | 6–4, 7–5, 6–3 |
| 1980 | Memphis | Carpet | R16 | Jimmy Connors | 6–2, 6–3 |
| 1979 | Indianapolis | Clay | Q | Jimmy Connors | 6–2, 7–6 |
|
Head-to-head breakdown
- All matches: Lendl 22–13
- All finals: Connors 4–2
- Grand Slam matches: Lendl 4–3
- Grand Slam finals: Connors 2–0
- Non-Grand Slam finals: tied 2–2
- Tennis Masters Cup matches: Lendl 4–1
- Five-set matches: Lendl 1–0
See also
References
- ^ "Ivan Lendl and Jimmy Connors". Boston Globe. 2006-08-25. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
An eight-year age gap made the ledger lopsided at either end — Connors won 13 of their first 18 meetings, Lendl the final 17. Their two biggest showdowns, in the 1982 and 1983 US Open finals, were both won by Connors.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Newman, Paul (2010-12-01). "Golden era: Federer and Nadal show shines on". The Independent. London.
- ^ Araton, Harvey (1992-09-05). "U.S. OPEN '92; As Night Wears On, Lendl Wears Connors Out". The New York Times.