Connors - Krickstein reunnion 2015

[gzhpcu]

For Kyle and don_budge, unless they have seen it already....

[bottle]

Absolutely great. I have nothing like the relationship to this material that both don_budge and klacr have, but do have a relationship with Grosse Pointe, where people talk about their early matches with Aaron all the time.

[don_budge]

For Kyle and don_budge, unless they have seen it already....

I've seen it but many thanks for posting this most interesting event again.

I remember being so pissed off at Connors for taking advantage of the crowd and the surroundings that day in Flushing Meadows. But all is apparently forgiven between Aaron Krickstein and Jimmy Connors.

Watching Aaron, whom I haven't seen in what seems to be many lifetimes, graciously handle the situation reminds me of what a prodigy he really was. He had an awareness about him that belied his years. Pancho Segura predicted that he would be the next Björn Borg...and he would have been if he had kept me as a "corner man". Nick "Bowl of Cherries" added nothing to his game as far as I was ever able to detect.

As it was it was indeed a great honor to have played a small part in his development and to be part of the Krickstein family. I know that if I was to see Aaron or Herb it would be some kind of emotional event for me. I was and am so proud of this "kid" as in my mind he will always be like a little brother to me. Considering his upbringing he turned out to be one great competitor and fighter. Just as importantly...a fine human being. A credit to his race. The human race.

I love this exchange between Connors and the interviewer:

"Jimmy...nobody gave the game more than you. You were Mr. Entertainment of tennis. Tennis was at the boom, you know that. Today, if we had that boom, what would tennis be like and how much do we need it?"

"Well, you know I'm probably the wrong person to ask. You should ask somebody that is in tennis now, I'm not in tennis. But, uh, the fans seem to like it...what's going on today. But we could sit here and have a discussion about what's good and what's not so (good) and what I think should happen. In reality the game is booming and like I said the fans seem to like what's going on. That's really all that counts."

Jimmy Connors for all of his behavior issues and overall dysfunction is the guy to ask. Certainly one of the select few to ask. Come on Jimmy...tell us what you really think. Here he tip toes around something that seems to be festering inside of him. I can read his mind.

I'll tell you what...another interesting guy to ask would be Aaron himself. I was working/practicing/traveling with young Krickstein during the early 1980's when the game was "transitioning". When it was being rediscovered and engineered. He heard my rants first hand and have witnessed some of the meltdowns. The racquets!!! I was screaming at the top of my lungs. He heard me. So did Herb.

So it would be interesting in hindsight to hear what Aaron would say about good old don_budge and his take on the game of tennis. If he read me now he might just say...he hasn't changed. But he sure is a lot smarter.

[klacr]

For Kyle and don_budge, unless they have seen it already....

Thanks Phil.
I have seen this video before and I was actually there at the reunion match. St. Andrew's country club is a stone's throw away from mine. The match was more hype and sentimental than it was competitive. The score was 8-5 for Krickstein but could have easily been 8-0. Aaron being a professional and gentleman did not show Connors up. Jimmy was intense a but step and a half too slow.

I am glad that match happened. As it stands today, Aaron and I rarely talk tennis. We mostly talk University of Michigan football and other stuff. I'm grateful to know him and call him a friend.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[don_budge]

Thanks Phil.
I have seen this video before and I was actually there at the reunion match. St. Andrew's country club is a stone's throw away from mine. The match was more hype and sentimental than it was competitive. The score was 8-5 for Krickstein but could have easily been 8-0. Aaron being a professional and gentleman did not show Connors up. Jimmy was intense a but step and a half too slow.

I am glad that match happened. As it stands today, Aaron and I rarely talk tennis. We mostly talk University of Michigan football and other stuff. I'm grateful to know him and call him a friend.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

Some day the three of us are going to go out and play a round of golf at that beautiful club that Aaron is at. Then we are going to go and have a bit to eat and maybe a beer at the bar. Bless you Boys!!!

[bottle]

Some day the three of us are going to go out and play a round of golf at that beautiful club that Aaron is at. Then we are going to go and have a bit to eat and maybe a beer at the bar. Bless you Boys!!!

Tho thweeet.

[klacr]

Some day the three of us are going to go out and play a round of golf at that beautiful club that Aaron is at. Then we are going to go and have a bit to eat and maybe a beer at the bar. Bless you Boys!!!

Thanks don_budge, Aaron and I are not big golfers or beer drinkers, but we have no problems eating and discussing University of Michigan Football. One day perhaps.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[bottle]

Bless you Boys!!!

[don_budge]

klacr...take a look at this video. Is that Aaron at the very beginning...smiling and embracing the smiling chickalicious? We were fans of "The Boss" way back when.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_91hNV6vuBY

[klacr]

klacr...take a look at this video. Is that Aaron at the very beginning...smiling and embracing the smiling chickalicious? We were fans of "The Boss" way back when.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_91hNV6vuBY

Ha! No, not Aaron but look is similar. Spoke with Aaron several days ago. He is doing well, his club is jam packed for the holidays. Tis' the season.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton