"Don't know if you can take mine or John McEnroe's personality & give it to Sampras, Agassi": When Jimmy Connors spoke on 'changed' attitude in tennis

Jimmy Connors once commented on how his and John McEnroe's retirement from tennis led to a dearth of fiery personalities in the sport. Connors expressed his belief that the likes of Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras could never emulate their personas.

Connors and McEnroe established one of the most intense and captivating rivalries on tour during their playing days, locking horns 34 times. McEnroe held the upper hand against his fellow American, enjoying a 20-14 lead in their head-to-head record.

The duo revived their famed rivalry at the 1999 ATP Seniors Honda Challenge, facing off in a highly anticipated encounter at the Royal Albert Hall. Fans eagerly awaited the return of Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe's animated and volatile on-court personalities, especially amid complaints about their successors on the ATP tour lacking similar charisma.

Ahead of the veterans event, Connors addressed the perceived lack of personality among active players, claiming that neither Pete Sampras nor Andre Agassi could hope to "fool" the public by mimicking him or McEnroe.

"I don't know if you can take a personality like mine or McEnroe's and give it to say Sampras or Agassi," Connors said (via BBC). "It wouldn't be honest. You can't fool the public."

The eight-time Grand Slam champion also said the attitude towards players had undergone a significant change. He added that while he and McEnroe were once heavily criticized for their controversial personalities, fans were "begging" for their return after their retirements.

"What you have is what you have... the times have changed. The game has changed. The attitude has changed," he said.

"The problem with the attitude is when you had them, you didn't want them. You criticised them and we should have been thrown out of the game and everything. And now you're begging for them," he added.

"If you can't back it up, don't say it" - Jimmy Connors once nearly came to blows with John McEnroe

Although Jimmy Connors voiced his appreciation for the excitement that he and John McEnroe brought to the sport, there was a time when he nearly came to blows with his compatriot over his contentious conduct.

Things came to a head in the fifth set of their clash in the 1982 Michelob Light Challenge final, with Connors even crossing the net to confront McEnroe for his perceived delaying tactics.

Connors stuck a finger in his compatriot's face, which was angrily swatted away by John McEnroe. The situation escalated, and the duo almost got into a physical altercation before being pulled apart by the officials.

Jimmy Connors eventually claimed a 6-7, 7-5, 6-7, 7-5, 6-4 victory over his fellow American. Following his win, the former World No. 1 expressed frustration with McEnroe's conduct, asserting that he didn't appreciate opponents making contentious remarks they couldn't back up.

"I was upset. I hope it doesn't happen again, but I don't want anybody saying anything to me that you can't back up. If you can't back it up, don't say it," Connors said (via The New York Times).