The Outsider
A Memoir
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4.2 • 216 Ratings
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
The Outsider is a no-holds-barred memoir by the original bad boy of tennis, Jimmy Connors.
Connors ignited the tennis boom in the 1970s with his aggressive style of play, turning his matches with John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, and Ivan Lendl into prizefights. But it was his prolonged dedication to his craft that won him the public’s adoration. He capped off one of the most remarkable runs in tennis history at the age of 39 when he reached the semifinals of the 1991 U.S. Open, competing against players half his age.
More than just the story of a tennis champion, The Outsider is the uncensored account of Connors' life, from his complicated relationship with his formidable mother and his storybook romance with tennis legend Chris Evert, to his battles with gambling and fidelity that threatened to derail his career and his long-lasting marriage to Playboy playmate Patti McGuire.
When he retired from tennis twenty years ago, Connors all but disappeared from public view. In The Outsider, he is back at the top of his game, and as feisty, outspoken, and defiant as ever.
This autobiography includes original color photographs from the author.
In this tell-all memoir, Connors holds nothing back:
The Original Bad Boy: Get the true story behind the legendary temper, the on-court antics, and the defiant attitude that changed the face of professional tennis.A Tennis Revolution: Go inside the locker room during the explosive tennis boom of the 1970s and 80s, when rock-star players ruled the court and turned their matches into prizefights.The Love Game: Connors finally tells his side of the famous romance with fellow tennis legend Chris Evert, from their early days as champions to the intense pressures that tore them apart.A Warrior's Mindset: For the first time, Connors opens up about his private battles with a gambling addiction and the obsessive-compulsive disorder that shaped his career on and off the court.Uncensored & Unapologetic: From his complicated relationship with his mother to his enduring marriage to Patti McGuire, this is Connors's life story, told his way, with the same feisty honesty he brought to the game.
Customer Reviews
A Little Disappointing
I wondered, at times, if this book was written as a reaction to the Agassi book? I was a big Connors fan in the day, but there seems to be a bit too much macho anger for me. I'd hate to read a book by Mac. I was hoping for some sort of salvation at the end. It's sort of a melancholy tail.
How to rate
I am giving this 5 stars to offset the previous review. I haven't read it yet, but a review and rating should only be based on the book's contents and features, not its price. Please review appropriately! I will rate again once I read it...
Nice tribute to Vitas
Thank you recognizing what a wonderful man Vitas was. He had more than his share of challenges but he was a great tennis player and a fantastic human being. I was honored to call him a true friend of mine.