Flushing Meadows 91 Jimbo had a last 4 run Out of tune in the earlier open Had a wrist surgery done
Approaching his 39th birthday A few days away Started his night which went into day Patrick McEnroe at the other end holding sway
Two sets to love Three games to love Love 40 Down in all 3 parameters Sets Games and Points A full house crowd Gently dispersed Not wanting to see the Legend once fierce Now in reverse
I got him and the match Patrick thought but as he said With Jimbo you never can tell Till you shake hands at the net Exactly what happened next Jimmy turned the match Third set with his lead diminishing Jimmy said famously See you in the 5th Met him as promised Shook hands at the net 2 am the next Winning the match
Many Greats who'd left the stands Embarrassed to see him play the losers hand Decided the result before hand Papers next day had a surprise in hand
They want more drama Iam gonna give it to them The Jimmy Connors scream Tells us that we too can dream
Next on the other side Michael Schapers Reached a ranking of 25 Now a qualifier Had a bad year earlier Hence put thru the grinder It was vintage Jimbo 3 sets in the row Dutchman was a no show
Karel Novacek The no 1 Czech Seeded 10 was once 8 Lost in straights Few games into the first set Thought Jimbo was easy to get Made the same mistake Different story at the net Shook hands in disbelief Actually felt a sense of relief The sold out crowd chanting Jimbo s name Court converted into a Colloseum all the same Every point Jimmy lost Crowd turning hostile representing a lynch mob
September 2nd 39th birthday celebrations 20000 plus audience Joining the celebrations Celebrated in his own style Pre Quarter final on the line
Aaron Krickstein Standing in between Jimbo and history When it comes to glory No one fights harder than Jimmy
A former world number 6 Had his ambition fixed He had his tricks Standing in the midst Front row seat for Legendary Jimbo grit
Tennis Stadium sounded Like a football game No individual sport had garnered such fame Tempers flying in all directions Umpires decisions questioned regarding its effectiveness David Littlefield in the chair Had a lot of heat to bear Formed a new vocabulary Kids of that generation used constantly
One game away from The match slipping away 2/5 down in the 5th set Feral instincts intrinsic Created the birthday magic Everything he did defied logic Fans ecstatic
Lost the first set against Paul Haarius Won three next 3 marching into the Semi Considered by many to be the greatest point in Tennis history Time stopped in New York city as people went dizzy
Everything changes On of the most uses adages Won the US open 5 times On all the 3 different surfaces at different times Clay Hard and Grass Including the inaugural win at Flushing Meadows Going into week no 2 a miracle Even for a 5 time winner of the title The story he scripted here biblical Lost in the last 4 battle to Courier But won the hearts forever No sacrifice big enough for immortality His heart the reason for his enduring popularity My city and My people as he declared proudly 5 generations of opponents during a 20 year career none could have handled this more Wisely
Playing against him Is like playing against an army of 40000 fans Gathered to watch him dance Every match sold out in advance Black market tickets for a 1000 dollars No seller all buyers Crowds outside the stadium Matching those inside A very rare sight His mere presence a delight All his opponents feared the most As he was always a darling of the crowds Joke goes around that even the opponents family Actually roots for Jimmy
This is what they want This is what they paid for Said this aloud to the crowd Established his legacy and with the fans his intimacy
Greatest fortnight in Tennis Said most of the games players and pundits A wild card entry given Their most wise decision
Sailing into the Sunset Time he will decide On his own terms His name is James Scott Connors
His tagline which he underlines That follows him at all times Sums up his Attitude Charisma Fame and Game IF I EVER ENTER THIS STADIUM IT IS GOING TO ROCK N ROLL