Winning a male record of 109 singles titles, Connors was an influential player in his development of the flat backhand. When he was on the court, regardless of the opponent, there was no doubt that Connors wanted it more, and his determination to win was evident from the second he walked on to the court. This made him a fan-favorite, though he had no problem not fostering relationships with other tennis players.
In the Grand Slams, Connors was the first to capture one on three different surfaces (grass, clay, and hard), and he won eight in total. His rivalries with John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl are legendary.