Celebrating the deep roots of tennis in St. Louis and the players, coaches and champions who changed the world.

Photo: Jimmy and Bob

Great years in St. Louis tennis: 1968

In 1968, the junior nationals were in Michigan. But everyone was talking about St. Louis.

The reason: Bob McKinley and Jimmy Connors were running away with the place. Bob won the boys’ 18s; Jimmy won the boys’ 16s, and nothing in tennis would ever be the same.

Bob hailed from North County; Jimmy was from the East side. Come winter, they met in the middle to train together at the Armory.