Net Worth Ranker
What Is Jimmy Connors’ Net Worth?
Jimmy Connors, the retired American tennis icon, has an estimated net worth of $30 million. This figure is primarily amassed from his illustrious tennis career, endorsement deals, and shrewd business ventures. Connors secured eight Grand Slam singles titles, including five U.S. Opens, two Wimbledon championships, and one Australian Open. Furthermore, he achieved success in doubles, winning two Grand Slam doubles titles at the U.S. Open and Wimbledon. He also reached numerous finals, including seven Grand Slam singles finals, one Grand Slam doubles final, and one Grand Slam mixed doubles final.
Connors held the coveted top ranking in men’s tennis for a remarkable 160 consecutive weeks, spanning from July 1974 to August 1977. Throughout his career, he accumulated a total of 268 weeks at the No. 1 position, achieved over eight different periods. His dominance also included winning 17 Grand Prix Super Series titles. Connors revolutionized tennis with his iconic two-handed backhand, passionate playing style, and captivating rivalries.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on September 2, 1952, in Belleville, Illinois, Jimmy Connors was raised in a Catholic household in East St. Louis. His early tennis training was primarily overseen by his mother and grandmother. In 1961, at the age of nine, he competed in his first US Championship. In 1968, his mother relocated him to Southern California for coaching under former tennis star Pancho Segura. Connors went on to win the Junior Orange Bowl twice. His first adult victory came in the first round of the Pacific Southwest Open. While attending UCLA as a freshman in 1971, Connors won the NCAA singles title and earned All-American status. Turning professional in 1972, he won his first tournament at the Jacksonville Open. His breakthrough title arrived in 1973 with a victory over Arthur Ashe at the US Pro Singles.
Professional Career Peak
1974 marked Connors’ most dominant year, as he held the ATP No. 1 ranking and achieved an impressive 99-4 record. He won 15 of the 21 tournaments he entered, including the Australian Open (defeating Phil Dent 7–6, 6–4, 4–6, 6–3), Wimbledon (defeating Ken Rosewall 6–1, 6–1, 6–4), and the US Open (defeating Ken Rosewall 6–1, 6–0, 6–1). His absence from the French Open that year was due to his association with World Team Tennis. In 1975, Connors reached the finals of the Australian Open (losing to John Newcombe 5–7, 6–3, 6–4, 7–6), the US Open (losing to Manuel Orantes 6–4, 6–3, 6–3), and Wimbledon (losing to Arthur Ashe 6–1, 6–1, 5–7, 6–4), but did not secure any of these titles. He still won nine other tournaments, finishing with an 82-8 record.
The following year, Connors won the US Open (defeating Björn Borg 3–6, 7–6, 6–4, 6–2). In 1977, he won both the Masters (defeating Björn Borg 6–4, 1–6, 6–4) and the WCT Finals (defeating Dick Stockton 6–7, 6–1, 6–4, 6–3). Another US Open title came in 1978 (defeating Björn Borg 6–4, 6–2, 6–2). During his peak years from 1974 to 1978, Jimmy was the world No. 1 player for a then-record 160 straight weeks. He reached the final of the US Open every year during that period and the final of Wimbledon in every year except 1976.
In 1980, Connors won the WCT Finals (defeating John McEnroe 2–6, 7–5, 6–3, 6–4). Two years later, in 1982, he defeated McEnroe in five sets to win Wimbledon (3–6, 6–3, 6–7, 7–6, 6–4) and won the US Open against Ivan Lendl (6–3, 6–2, 4–6, 6–4). He also made it to the semifinal of the Masters Cup. Despite ending the year ranked No. 2, just behind McEnroe, Connors was named Player of the Year by the ATP because of his major victories. In 1983, Jimmy won the US Open for a record fifth time (defeating Ivan Lendl 6–3, 6–7, 7–5, 6–0) and finished the year ranked No. 3. In 1984, he reached the finals of both Wimbledon (losing to John McEnroe 6–1, 6–1, 6–2) and WCT (losing to John McEnroe 6–1, 3–6, 6–2, 6–2), and the semifinals of the US Open, French Open, and Masters Cup.
Connors continued to achieve success throughout the 1980s, making further semifinal appearances at major events. In 1990, his career took a hit, and he dropped to No. 936 in the world rankings. Following wrist surgery, he made a comeback in 1991 and reached the semifinals of the US Open at the age of 39. In 1996, Connors retired after his last match on the ATP tour, losing to Richey Reneberg.
Career Earnings and Endorsements Contributing to Jimmy Connors’ Net Worth
During his professional career, Jimmy Connors earned $8.6 million in tournament prize money. Beyond prize money, Connors significantly increased his earnings through endorsement deals with major brands. While specific details of individual endorsement contracts are not publicly available, it is estimated that he earned tens of millions of dollars through these partnerships. These endorsements played a vital role in building Jimmy Connors’ net worth.
Rivalries and Achievements
Connors had many notable rivals, including Björn Borg, Ilie Năstase, Manuel Orantes, and Guillermo Vilas. Later, he competed with John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl for the top ATP ranking. Connors won a male record of 109 singles titles, played 1,557 matches, and had 1,274 match wins. He also won 16 doubles titles and played a then-record of 401 tournaments. He reached at least the semifinals of Grand Slam Singles events 31 times and is the only player to have won the US Open on three different surfaces: grass, clay, and hard. In 1998, he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Personal Life and Business Interests
From 1974 to 1975, Connors was engaged to fellow tennis player Chris Evert. After breaking off their engagement, they briefly reconciled in 1976 and again in 1978 before splitting permanently. During that time, Jimmy was engaged to former Miss World Marjorie Wallace; however, they never married. In 1979, he married “Playboy” model Patti McGuire. They have two children, Brett and Aubree, and live in Santa Barbara, California. In the 1990s, Connors invested in the Argosy Gaming Company with his brother John, owning around 19% of the company, which operated riverboat casinos on the Mississippi River. In 2018, Jimmy joined LiveWire Ergogenic, Inc., a special-purpose real estate company, as an advisor and spokesman.
Real Estate Ventures
In June 2021, Jimmy Connors listed his Montecito, California mansion for $9.5 million. While the listing was ultimately removed, it indicates a significant real estate asset contributing to his overall net worth. It is estimated that the home is now worth north of $12 million. Specific details regarding the purchase price and any improvements made to the property are not publicly available. However, the property’s value reflects the upscale nature of the Montecito area and the amenities it offers. The decision to list the property suggests potential shifts in Connors’ investment strategy or personal preferences.
