Legendary American tennis player Jimmy Connors had a stellar career, winning a tour-leading 109 ATP titles.

And arguably one of Connors’ greatest rivals on tour was compatriot John McEnroe.

The duo faced each other 34 times in official ATP Tour matches, with McEnroe winning 20 and Connors 14.

But the first time they ever met in a Grand Slam final was at Wimbledon in 1982.

McEnroe, who was seven years Connors’ junior, was the top-seed and heavy favourite to beat the 30-year-old Connors.

When McEnroe won the third set tie-break for a 2-1 lead in the match, all appeared lost for Connors. However, “Jimbo” refused to give up, and when he sneaked the fourth set in a tie-break, he had all the momentum heading into the fifth.

Connors eventually won with a scoreline of 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 to claim his second Wimbledon crown.

Many believe this was Connors’ greatest ever triumph, and after watching a reply of the game it’s hard to disagree.

WATCH highlights of the legendary match in the video clip below:

Connors added two more majors to his trophy cabinet – the 1982 and 1983 US Opens – and finished his career with eight Grand Slams.

McEnroe eventually won seven Grand Slams in singles.

Connors and McEnroe only faced each other in one more major final – the 1984 Wimbledon title match which McEnroe won 6-1, 6-1, 6-2.

ON THIS DAY: Jimmy Connors wins tour-leading 109th ATP title

Picture: Jimmy Connors at Wimbledon/Twitter

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