by Kate on Jun 20, 2011 at 10:24 am
We can announce today that Transworld publishers has acquired UK and Commonwealth (ex Canada) publishing rights to the long-awaited autobiography of tennis legend Jimmy Connors. The book is scheduled to be published by Bantam Press in 2012.
From the early 1970s to the mid-90s, Connors embodied men’s tennis in all its brash and crowd-pleasing glory-a shaggy-haired bad boy from East St. Louis who ushered the sport out of its genteel amateur era by grunting, screaming, and blasting through the polite silence of courtside spectators.
“A lot has been written about me, my family, my on-court behaviour and my off-court life,” Connors says. “Some of it is true, well, you decide. This book is going to change that. People may think they know Jimmy Connors . Maybe they do, but now it’s time for me to set the record straight!
In his 24 years as a professional, Connors won 8 grand slams and captivated tennis fans with his aggressive play and colourful life away from the sport. Among the many episodes Connors will finally address in his memoir are:
- His relationship with America’s tennis sweetheart Chris Evert.
- His epic rivalry with John McEnroe, which the British press once dubbed “Brat vs. Super Brat.”
- His close , but complicated relationship with his late mother Gloria who instilled in him the killer instinct that defined his remarkable career.
“Jimmy is one of the true legends of sport and transformed the game of tennis. He is winner of 8 grand slams singles titles and to this day holds the all time record for 109 ATP singles titles won. In his 24 years as a professional, Jimmy Connors has captivated tennis fans with his aggressive play and colorful life away from the sport. It’s a huge thrill to be publishing what is certain to be one of the most colourful and unflinching autobiographies ever written,” said Giles Elliott, Senior Editor at Transworld who bought rights from Maggie Hanbury of The Hanbury Agency.
“I am thrilled to be representing Jimmy, and delighted with this deal, ” said Maggie
Your Comments (2)
greatest tennis player ever great personalaty exciting jimmy had it all on the court thanks for the memories
Greatest player to have walked on a tennis court, grit, determination, passion and the strongest desire to never give in even when being two sets and a break down, fights to the end. For me tennis has and never will be the same without Connors in the draw.