The pair were the tennis world's golden couple in the 1970s but suddenly called off their wedding in 1974.
“In his book, Jimmy Connors has written about a time in our relationship that was very personal and emotionally painful,” Evert said in a statement released to Reuters on Saturday through her agent Lawrence Frankopan at StarWing Sports.
“I am extremely disappointed that he used the book to misrepresent a private matter that took place 40 years ago and made it public, without my knowledge. I hope everyone can understand that I have no further comment.”
Connors, in an excerpt released three days ago, has now shed light on the split.
"An issue had arisen as a result of youthful passion, and a decision had to be made as a couple. Chrissie called to say she was taking care of the 'issue,'" he says in the book.
"I was happy to let nature take its course. It was a horrible feeling, but I knew it was over. Getting married wasn’t going to be good for us."
Connors, who won five U.S. Open Titles, and Evert, who won six, captured the nation's hearts when they dated in the seventies, particularly after they both won the Wimbledon singles in 1974.
It was the same year the then 22-year-old bad boy of tennis and the 19-year-old "America's Sweetheart" planned to get married.
But the 60-year-old writes in The Outsider about the situation that arose just weeks before their planned wedding.
Evert was just 19 at the time and though she was raised as a Catholic, Connors claims it was her idea: "Chrissie, however, had already made up her mind that the timing was bad and too much was riding on her future. She asked me to handle the details."
He wrote that his response was: "Well thanks for letting me know. Since I don’t have any say in the matter, then I guess I am just here to help."
In his mind, the relationship was over at this point and he realized he was not ready to get married.
"It was a horrible feeling, but I knew it was over. getting married wasn't going to be good for either of us."
When he told her they were too young and should take a step back, her reply was: "OK if that's what you think. I've got a match tomorrow. Not a problem."
And, according to Connors, that was it. He said though he loved Evert, he knew both their ambitions would ultimately get in the way of them having a future together.
Tennis' former black sheep also writes about his on-court battles, infidelities and a gambling addiction. The book will be in stores May 14.
Mr. Connors is no gentleman. Ms. Evert is fortunate not to have married him.
ReplyDeleteto bad jimmy has no class just look where he is today
ReplyDeleteanonymous
ReplyDeletejimmy is alow class human being. true or untrue no good came out of him putting this in his book. shame on you!!
Guess he had to do something to sell the book. What a loser!
ReplyDelete...Who would read this trash...Connors, what a loser ..never played Davis Cup, married a Bunny..now this..He should have named the book... "The A..hole."
ReplyDeleteFirst Andre (in his book "Open"), now Chris Evert comment on "Jimbo's" true character. No respect here for the selfish Jimmy.
ReplyDeleteI don't like that Connors exposed this matter to make a buck, but the truth remains that for many (men and women) who have aborted their children, come to regret it as time goes by. Their child would have been 38 today. It's on their conscience and should have stayed there.
ReplyDeleteWhat an a-Hole! I have never believed in abortion, but to expose this 40 years later and betray someone that you claimed to love is absolutely horrible.
ReplyDeleteJimmy who????
ReplyDeleteConnors is a punk and has always been one. Chrissie handled it the right way. Its nobodies business. End of story!
ReplyDeleteThe way to handle it would have been to remain silent.
DeleteSomeone said "sin is expensive." God help us all!
ReplyDeleteIgrew up in Florida in the 60 & 70's and saw Chris Evert play as a junior. She was a stuck up" MY S*IT DON'T STINK Brat". Jimmy is lucky he avoided marrying her. She has more failed marriages than Jimmy does. FORGET Chrissy she is not worth the time...
ReplyDeleteWell Jimmy - "Since I don’t have any say in the matter, then I guess I am just here to help." - you gave up your "SAY IN THE MATTER" when you left it up to Chrissy to take care of the Birth Control. End of issue. Like you thought you should be the one to maintain your career while Chris carried your spawn, fixing your breakfast, lunch, dinner - washing your tire tracks outta your tennis shorts before even getting married as if it was a done deal and the only option for a woman even more talented than you or you're sleazy friends were? Momma's Boy all the way,..."Boo-Hoo Mommy, she didn't care enough to even ask me since I screwed up her professional life! Whaaaaa! Whaaaaa! I would've carried the baby!!" Doubt it Jimbo!
ReplyDelete~~ Condoms! Check 'em out! Great selections in all flavors, colors, textures at a store near you! Some are even FREE!
What's your problem? The book is s narrative of what took place. If part is omitted then its a skewed report. Hey, we all have skeletons.
DeleteInteresting fact: Chrissy's brother John, who was a decent college player, could beat Chrissy when she was #1.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't spend a dime on his book. Low-classed Bum
ReplyDeleteWhen presenting one's life story, I am sure it is hard to know what to include so it is complete and truthful, or to edit out information thus making the memoir incomplete. Damned if you do include and damned if you don't include. Perhaps he should have talked with her about it before publishing, but it probably would not have made a difference. Youthful behaviors often come back to haunt people when they are adults. Maybe at the time of the problem they should have decided if they ever would reveal the intimate details and vowed to stick together on the decision. I am not sure anything is satisfactory to both parties. Need I remind young people and older people, too: birth control is available and generally it works. Don't play roulette with sex if the possible results will cause you difficulties.
ReplyDeleteAs the song says, "fools rush in where wise men never, never go, but how are wise men to ever know, for they never, ever far in love....
DeleteFall , not far.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the general concensus. When I read Andre's book Open, I was touched with his honesty and respect for the game and those he battled against while playing, even while much of the time he wished he wasn't playinga and "hated" the game. But evidently Jimmy hasn't the same respect for other players, or the game since he felt the need in his tell all book to take very private matters or others and sell them. Vs, Andre taking his private matters and sharing them, yes and selling them too. But his felt very much like a sharing vs a grab for some more publicity and a total disrepecting of a very classy player and comentator Chris Everet. That is so sad Jimmy. Not that you will read this. But you could have gone out with class and left a positive legacy and memory. But it is what it is, and you are who you are I guess. It was always more about the show wasn't it?
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