Notebook

Connors fondly remembers his time at U.S. Open

NEW YORK (AP) -- Jimmy Connors came back to the place where he most loved to compete -- and where he most loved to perform.

Connors won five of his eight Grand Slam titles at the U.S. Open, so it was easy for him to reminisce 11 years after he last walked off the court at the National Tennis Center.

The 51-year-old Connors, back at the Open on championship Sunday as one of those honored in the inaugural U.S. Open Court of Champions, admits his entertaining antics were at their absolute best here.

"This was my atmosphere," he said.

That's for sure. There was his series of emotional fist pumps that seemed to last for so many seconds, his moments jumping into the stands and stealing a sip of a fan's drink, and his screaming at the officials time and time again.

"My greatest day was the day I left here," Connors said. "The reason I say that is because I didn't leave anything out, especially at this tournament. When I walked out of here, I left DNA out there on that court. I say that with pride. In walking away, in not playing here anymore, it was the toughest thing I ever did.

"I made my reputation here, really. No, I didn't make my reputation, this place made my reputation. I just happened to be along for the ride."

Connors waved to the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, which gave him a long standing ovation, then he insisted, "I've calmed down since then."

Unfortunately, his name was spelled "Jimmy Conners" on the big screen just before a video tribute to him.

Connors, who lives in California, is getting back into tennis -- both playing and starting a youth education and mentoring program.

"To be honored by the press and the fans here in New York, I guess that's about as good as it gets," he said.

Martina loses

At 46, Martina Navratilova is still plenty feisty, and fit, too. Her consistency just isn't what it used to be -- at least not Sunday.

Navratilova teamed with Russian teen Svetlana Kuznetsova to reach the U.S. Open women's doubles final, losing to the second-seeded tandem of Virginia Ruano Pascual and Paola Suarez 6-2, 6-3 in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"We know she's a great player for all the years," Ruano Pascual said. "I think it's good to play against her."

Navratilova, who was broken three times, wore her white cap backward on her serve, argued with a linesman, hit a ball in frustration and put her hand on her forehead in disbelief after netting a routine forehand volley.

Still, while her game was sub-par on this day, she jogged out of changeovers with spring in her step and smiled when the match was done. And despite her struggles, fans cheered Navratilova on nearly every point, clapping loudly for someone still playing in a new era of women's tennis.

"I'm definitely blazing new paths on the tennis court," Navratilova said. "I always dreamt of being the youngest champion. I'm now the oldest. But that's OK. This sport has given me so much and I'm just trying to do my part, make sure that I give back."

Navratilova's mixed doubles partner, Leander Paes, has been released from a Florida hospital after treatment for a parasitic infection. They won Wimbledon, and Navratilova hopes to add another major to their resume.

"We're planning on playing in Australia," she said.

She was disappointed with her mistake-prone game Sunday, but happy to reach the final.

"I felt like a little kid, 'Hey I'm in a Grand Slam final,' and then I played like a little kid," she said.

Court of Champions

Jimmy Connors, Chris Evert, Billie Jean King and Rod Laver were honored before the men's singles final in the inaugural induction ceremony of the U.S. Open Court of Champions.

Connors and Evert were selected for the Open Era, the late Bill Tilden and Helen Wills for the Golden Era, and King and Laver for both periods.

"This will probably be the first and last time I'm on this court," King said.

To be eligible, players had to have won at least one singles title and have been retired from both singles and doubles at the Open for at least five years.

"All my memories and wins came at Forest Hills, not too far from here," Laver said. "It's been a great feeling to compete at the U.S. Open. Standing here on Arthur Ashe Stadium brings back all of my battles with Arthur Ashe."

Double delight

Reigning Wimbledon champions Todd Woodbridge and Jonas Bjorkman came from behind to defeat the Bryan twins, Bob and Mike, 5-7, 6-0, 7-5 in the men's doubles final at the U.S. Open.

It was a double-barreled triumph for longtime doubles player Woodbridge.

The championship gave him 21 Grand Slam titles, passing Rod Laver and tying him with Bill Tilden for fourth place on the career list. Frank Sedgman is third with 22.

Bjorkman joined Woodbridge when Mark Woodforde retired.

"It was a great position for me when Todd asked me," Bjorkman said. "Playing with Todd is a great honor also a great opportunity to win big majors. He's a great doubles players."

Woodbridge has a new goal.

"Now we've got to win the French and try for a career Grand Slam," he said. "It's another goal. Let's see if we can get all four of those majors."