Jimmy Connors To Return To Champions Tour

Written by: Staff on 22nd December 2011

MEN'S SEMIFINALS OF 2006 US OPEN TENNIS TOURNAMENT

Jimmy Connors To Return To Champions Tour

epa00813715 Andy Roddick's coach Jimmy Conners watches Roddick's match against Mikhail Youzhny of Russia during the men's semifinals on the thirteenth day of the 2006 US Open tennis tournament in Flushing Meadows, New York Saturday 09 September 2006. EPA/JUSTIN LANE |

Despite the fact Jimmy Connors will turn 60 next year, the former world no.1 and winner of eight Grand Slam titles is to return to the ATP Champions Tour after a 13-year absence.

Connors has agreed to end his exile from the tour he and Ray Benton effectively formed to play in the BNP Paribas Zurich Open, March 20-24, 2012. Amongst the opposition will be Marat Safin, who by then will have celebrated his 32nd birthday, 35 year-old Mark Philippoussis and real old timer Tim Henman (37).

“I am thrilled to be back on the ATP Champions Tour after more than a decade and being able to compete in Zurich against some great champions is an exciting prospect, ” said Connors who underwent hip replacement surgery more than six years ago.

“Zurich is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and a favorite of mine. I’m feeling good and ready to compete again and am looking forward to being back on the ATP Champions Tour.”

Tournament director Erik Keller is overjoyed at signing up Connors for his event and said: “We have landed a fantastic coup. After John McEnroe and Pete Sampras in the past years, we are proud to once again meet our public’s high expectations for a top-notch field and present Jimmy Connors, one of the tennis tour’s dominant personalities of the 70’s and 80’s.