Connors Suspended, Might Miss L.A. Tournament

Defending champion Jimmy Connors might miss the Volvo tournament at the Los Angeles Tennis Center next week. He was suspended Tuesday by the Men’s International Professional Tennis Council.

Connors was suspended because he has accumulated $7,500 in fines over the last year, including $2,500 he was fined at the U.S. Open for using obscenity and verbally abusing officials.

Connors has 10 days, however, to appeal his U.S. Open fines, which would enable him to defend his Los Angeles title. The tournament is scheduled for Sept. 16-22.

Jack Kramer, father of the tournament director, Bobby Kramer, said they were attempting to reach Connors Tuesday night to determine whether the world’s fourth-ranked player will withdraw.

“We’ve heard he’s not appealing, which means we couldn’t put him in the draw if we wanted to,” Kramer said. “If his ankle injury is really bad, maybe he would prefer for the suspension to start as of last Monday. But we won’t know anything for sure until we hear from him or his attorney.”

Connors injured his ankle before his U.S. Open semifinal, which he lost in straight sets to Ivan Lendl.

The suspension does not prevent Connors from playing exhibitions. But if he plays exhibitions, the length of the suspension is 42 days. If he plays no competitive tennis, the suspension will last for 21 days.