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How many titles did Jimmy Connors win during his career?
Henry Brotherston, Southport

THE JUDGE: Connors captured what was a men's record 109 singles titles between 1972 and 1989. The most successful season of his career came in 1974 when he was just 22, and he won the men's Wimbledon singles title (beat ing Ken Rosewall), the US Open (Ken Rosewall) and the Australian title (Phil Dent). He was prevented from going for the Grand Slam when he was barred from the French Open because he had not joined the Association of Tennis Professionals.


Who were the first left-handed winners of the men's and women's singles championships at Wimbledon?
Lisa Edmonds, Croydon

THE JUDGE: Australian Norman Brookes (1907) was the first men's left-handed cham pion and the first overseas winner at Wimbledon. It was 1969 before Ann Jones became the first left-handed women's champion with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory on the Centre Court over Billie-Jean King.


What is the biggest attendance anywhere in the world for a tennis match?
B. Bailey, Taunton, Somerset

THE JUDGE: A crowd of 25,578 gathered to see Australia play the United States of America on the first day of the Davis Cup Challenge Round in Sydney on 27 December 1954. An unorthodox and much-hyped 'battle-of-the-sexes' between Billie-lean King and Bobby Riggs drew a crowd of 30,472 to the Houston Astrodome on 20 September 1973.


What was Bjorn Borg's record in the US Open championship?
Jill Rawlings, Reading

THE JUDGE: The US Open always eluded Borg. He reached four finals and was beaten each time, twice by Jimmy Connors and twice by John McEnroe. Borg was supreme at Wimbledon (five successive victories, 1976-80) and in the French Open (a record six wins, 1974-5,1978-81). His major successes in the United States came in the US Pro championship that he won for three consecutive years from 1974. He was also the Masters champion in 1979 and 1980. There has rarely been a more consistent player, and he was ranked No. 1 in the world for 109 weeks from 1977 until his retirement in 1981 at the age of 26.

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