NEW YORK -- Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert are part of the first class of inductees to the U.S. Open's Court of Champions, honoring the top players in tournament history.
Connors, a five-time champion, and Evert, who won the Open six times, were honored as the best players in the Open era, which began in 1968. The other inductees announced Tuesday are Bill Tilden and Helen Wills for the Golden era (1881-1967), and Rod Laver and Billie Jean King for those who played in both eras.
They will be honored at the National Tennis Center on Sept. 6-7, the days of the women's and men's singles finals at the U.S. Open.
To be eligible, a player has to win at least one singles title at the U.S. Open and be retired from singles and doubles for at least five years.
The tournament begins Monday.
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