Chris Evert fury at Jimmy Connors over hint that abortion ended their relationship

Tennis great Chris Evert has hit out at former fiance Jimmy Connors for hinting that their relationship ended after she had an abortion against his wishes. ‘I am extremely disappointed he has misrepresented a private matter that took place 40 years ago,’ she said last night.

The pair were tennis’s golden couple in the 1970s but suddenly called off their wedding in 1974.

Connors, in his new memoir, The Outsider, has now shed light on the split.

‘An issue had arisen as a result of youthful passion, and a decision had to be made as a couple. Chrissie called to say she was taking care of the “issue”,’ he says in his book.

‘I was happy to let nature take its course. It was a horrible feeling, but I knew it was over. Getting married wasn’t going to be good for us.’

Connors, who won five U.S. Open Titles, and Evert, who won six, captured the nation’s hearts when they dated in the seventies, particularly after they both won the Wimbledon singles in 1974.

It was the same year the-then 22 and 19-year-old were due to get married.

But the 60-year-old writes in The Outsider about the situation that arose just weeks before their planned wedding.

Evert was just 19 at the time and though she was raised as a Catholic, Connors claims it was her idea: ‘Chrissie, however, had already made up her mind that the timing was bad and too much was riding on her future. She asked me to handle the details.’

He wrote that his response was: ‘Well thanks for letting me know. Since I don’t have any say in the matter, then I guess I am just here to help.’

In his mind, the relationship was over at this point and he realized he was not ready to get married.

‘It was a horrible feeling, but I knew it was over. getting married wasn’t going to be good for either of us.’

When he told her they were too young and should take a step back, her reply was: ‘OK if that’s what you think. I’ve got a match tomorrow. Not a problem.’