Jimmy Connors has confirmed one thing about modern tennis that he finds particularly irritating.
Connors dominated tennis throughout the 1970s and 1980s, winning eight Grand Slams, 109 titles, 1,557 matches played, and 1,274 matches.
The American has continued to be vocal about the sport he dominated through his podcast, Advantage Connors.
The star has pointed out one thing he really is not a fan of in the modern game that is a far cry from when he was playing.
Jimmy Connors dislikes that tennis has become a ‘team event’
Connors believes that team coaching during a match has got out of hand and it’s something that would have never happened during his heyday.
They have taken an individual sport and made it into a team event. They all look up to the box every time,” said Connors on his podcast.
“I keep going back. If I had done that, your Grandma and Pancho would have poked my eyes out,” joked the five-time US Open champion.
“They would have said take care of your own business, I can’t help you now!,” he explained. Everything should be done beforehand. I am against it, on court coaching. I think do your work beforehand.”
“Tennis is a one on one individual sport,” he continued. “If it’s Davis Cup or whatever, do whatever you want. But if you are playing these tournaments where it’s a one on one sport, do your work beforehand.”
“Know what you can do and how well you can do it, and go out and do it,” he concluded.
The debate about on-court coaching has rumbled on for years, with some events allowing the intervention from the players’ box. Fans and players are divided on the move, with some speaking out against it on social media.
High-profile players’ opinions on off-court coaching
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) allowed off-court coaching during professional matches from January 2025, including Grand Slam events.
It did not go down well with some players who rallied against the rule change, including former World No. 10, Denis Shapovalov.
“Not just as a tennis player but as a fan of this sport it’s sad to see this new off court coaching rule,” said Shapovalov on social media.
“Tennis is special because you are out there alone,” he added. “Why are you trying to change the beauty of this game?”
Taylor Fritz has also spoken out against the rule change, seemingly in agreement with his compatriot, Connors.
