Jimmy Connors is often remembered as one of tennis’s most combative and charismatic figures, a player whose fiery intensity transformed the sport during the 1970s and early 1980s. Between 1975 and 1981, Connors carved out a dominant presence at Wimbledon, the sport’s most prestigious grass-court Grand Slam. While his record at the All England Club featured some notable setbacks, his resilience and fighting spirit made him a tennis legend.

During this pivotal six-year stretch, Connors was no stranger to the heartbreak of coming up short in the critical rounds—he lost seven matches in quarterfinals, semifinals, or finals. But these near misses often masked just how close he was to greater glory. From intense rivalries to shocking upsets, these matches helped define an era of tennis shaped by relentless competition and the rise of new stars.

One of Connors’ standout moments at Wimbledon came in 1975. That year, the American battled his way into the final but was ultimately defeated by Arthur Ashe. The match was historic, not only for the high-quality tennis played but also because Ashe became the first African American man to win the Wimbledon singles title, a watershed moment for the sport. Despite falling just short at Wimbledon, Connors showed his trademark tenacity by bouncing back and clinching two other Grand Slam titles that same year—the Australian Open and the US Open—underscoring his prowess on multiple surfaces.

Another defining chapter of Connors’ Wimbledon story involved one of the sport’s most famous rivalries, against the Swedish sensation Björn Borg. Their encounter at Wimbledon in 1977 remains one of the most celebrated matches in tennis history. Borg, known for his ice-cool demeanor and masterful baseline play, clashed with Connors’s fiery aggression in a final that enthralled fans worldwide. Borg’s victory that day cemented his status as a rising force, but Connors’s fighting spirit in that match left a lasting impression.

Throughout the late ’70s, Connors and Borg had several epic battles at Wimbledon. In 1978, Connors made it to the final again but once again fell to Borg, who was becoming a grass-court powerhouse. Then in 1979, Connors’ campaign ended in the semifinals, where Borg proved victorious again. Their rivalry was not just about wins and losses—it was a clash of contrasting styles and personalities that helped elevate tennis’s global profile.

In parallel, another significant rivalry was brewing between Connors and a younger American star, John McEnroe. By the turn of the decade, McEnroe’s volatile on-court antics and extraordinary talent were reshaping the game. At Wimbledon in 1980, Connors’s semifinal against McEnroe was a thriller, ending in a razor-thin loss by a single game. This match epitomized the intensity and fine margins of their rivalry, which would soon culminate in the classic 1982 final where Connors finally triumphed over McEnroe to claim his second Wimbledon title.

Though Connors’s Wimbledon record in this era included several narrow defeats, his ability to rise after tough losses was a hallmark of his career. He was known for his unusually short strokes, double-handed backhand, and bulldog mentality—traits that made him one of the toughest opponents in history. During his career, Connors won eight Grand Slam singles titles and set records for match wins across all surfaces.

It’s also important to note the broader context of Connors’s career at this time. Tennis was evolving rapidly, moving into the Open Era, which began in 1968 when professional players were finally allowed to compete in Grand Slam events. Connors was a central figure during this transition, often clashing with tennis authorities over playing conditions and player rights. His brash persona and refusal to conform helped transform tennis into a more spectator-friendly and commercially successful sport.

Connors’s longevity was remarkable. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he continued to compete into his 30s and even 40s, adapting his game as new generations emerged. He won his last singles title in 1991 and continued to play on the ATP senior tour well into the late 1990s. Connors’s influence extended beyond his on-court success—he inspired countless players with his passion, work ethic, and relentless desire to win. Indeed, his career was a perfect “match” to the evolving narrative of modern tennis.

In retrospect, Jimmy Connors’s run at Wimbledon and throughout tennis history is a reminder that greatness is often tempered by challenges and setbacks. His losses did not define him; instead, they highlighted the fierce competitiveness that made him one of the sport’s all-time greats. His battles with Ashe, Borg, and McEnroe remain etched in tennis folklore, not just for the scorelines, but for the drama and spirit they embodied.

Connors left the professional circuit in 1996, concluding a career that had seen him rise from a scrappy competitor to a global icon. Today, he is remembered not only for his titles but for reinvigorating tennis with his intensity and charisma, forever changing how players approach one of the world’s most demanding sports. Whether serving up aces or rallying from behind, Jimmy Connors showed that sometimes, the best shots in tennis come when the pressure is greatest.