What Jimmy Connors received as compensation when rain cost him the Indian Wells title 46 years ago

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Jimmy Connors was the heavy favorite to win Indian Wells in 1980, reaching the semifinals without dropping a set.

But disaster struck for the number-one seed, as the rain began to pour in California.

After several delays, the semifinals were pushed back to Monday, before the event was cancelled.

Connors missed out on a chance to win Indian Wells, but what did he and the three other semifinalists receive as compensation?

Jimmy Connors received $11,000 in compensation

Butch Buchholz, ATP executive director, revealed that the four semifinalists would receive $11,000 in prize money.

1980 Indian Wells semifinalists

• [1] Jimmy Connors
• Brian Teacher
• [8] Peter Fleming
• [6] Gene Mayer

Semifinalist Peter Fleming was reported to have said the following in the ‘Slazengers World of Tennis 1981’.

“Everyone told me it never rains in the desert,” said Fleming.

“I guess I found the one day it did.

“At least the check won’t bounce, even if the balls won’t.”

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The other semifinalists were said to have commented, but their quotes have been lost over the years, partly due to the floods in California.

Connors wasn’t discouraged by the events of 1980, though, as he returned with a point to prove in 1981.

Returning as the number-one seed, Connors made another dominant run through to the semifinals.

Jimmy Connors at the 1981 Indian Wells tournament

Able to play the semifinals in 1981, unlike in 1980, Connors took on the seventh seed, Eliot Teltscher.

It was there that Connors dropped his first set of the tournament, as Teltscher won a tiebreaker to force a decider.

Pulling through in three, Connors defeated Teltscher, 6-3, 6-7, 6-4, to set up a dream final with Ivan Lendl.

Righting the wrongs of 1980, Connors beat Lendl in straight sets to win his second Indian Wells title.

He won a third title in 1984, and to this day, remains one of the most successful players in tournament history.

Most Indian Wells titles (Men’s singles)

• Novak Djokovic – 5
• Roger Federer – 5
• Rafael Nadal – 3
• Jimmy Connors – 3
• Michael Chang – 3
• Carlos Alcaraz – 2
• Lleyton Hewitt – 2
• Jim Courier – 2
• Boris Becker – 2
• Roscoe Tanner – 2

We’ll never know if Connors could have won the 1980 Indian Wells title and moved ahead of Rafael Nadal in the all-time list…

Weather forecast for 2026 Indian Wells

Connors missed out on a chance to win Indian Wells 46 years ago because of the weather, but do today’s stars have anything to worry about?

Well, none of the stadiums have roofs, so in theory, they are susceptible to rain delays.

But there is no rain forecast for this year’s tournament.

Indian Wells, CA weather forecast

There should be no rain in California this year, but that doesn’t mean the weather won’t affect the players.

The wind has already been a problem for players this tournament, and with gusts reaching 24 mph expected on Saturday, don’t be surprised if some of your favorites struggle.

And as the wind dies down, the temperature is expected to increase, especially from the quarterfinals onwards.

Who will adapt best? Only time will tell!