Jimmy Connors Saved My Life
by Joel Drucker, 2004

Author Joel Drucker puts new meaning into the word obsession with this detail-packed, unauthorized (“Don’t write a book about me, son”) biography of one of tennis’s most determined, winning and elusive figures.

Connor’s tenacity and single-minded drive is chronicled here by insider Drucker, who managed to meet and talk with Jimbo on many occasions – yet could never convince him to sanction an authorized biography. No matter – the author weaves details of his own life and of his brother’s troubling mental illness in with his passion for tennis and emotional alliance with the guy from “down in the boondocks.”

This makes for a fascinating and pretty comprehensive biography with some interesting insights from someone who really seemed to get Connors. You’ll trip back to the days when Borg and McEnroe ruled, when the hated Ivan Lendl was just coming up, and when Connors himself was a perennial threat at the US Open or being written off again. In the end – and this can be said of author and subject – they did it their way!

- Phil