Isn't it true that Jimmy Connors was a double's partner with Ile Nastase? Why isn't this more celebrated?

Question

How come tennis buffs never talk about this? It seems to me that such a matching would be the most colourful (not to mention one of the most talented) double team in tennis history. As a matter of fact, I'd like to get my hands on some footage of that situation. Has anyone seen such footage. Is anyone old enough to remember actually seeing them in their time? Where can I get some recordings of such a match?

Answer 1

It's true they were doubles partners for a while, but I don't think it was a match made in heaven.  Nastase was actually a very good doubles player, and also had success with fellow-Romanian Tiriac, and Rosie Cassals in the mixed doubles.

Answer 2

I saw them play together.   Neither had 'natural aptitude' for doubles, I feel, and they did quite poorly, if I remember.  

Nastase was quick witted, but his peculiarly 'doubles' skills were often lacking.    Connors was relatively slow witted, he volleyed like a drowning chook, and he never looked like a good doubles player.  

Maybe that is why nobody talks about them?

   Why would their play achieve archival staus?   They were mediocre - as a doubles pairing!   However good they were as singles players, new perameters are in play for Doubles, and they simply had few of these.

Answer 3

BBC talked about it when they interviewed Ilie, and they did used to be doubles partners. I dont think its celebrated because it was over, really, before it started. They stopped partnering because Jimmy said Ilie was showboating too much and using the crowd.

I think it was really, a sturggle of power because Jimmy liked to be the man in the limelight, and if he was with Ilie he had to contend to see who the crowd appealed to more.