# October 17, 1982: Connors removes umpire

> Jimmy Connors had chair umpire replaced during Sydney semi-final but lost.
- Title: October 17, 1982: Connors removes umpire · Tennis Majors
- Summary: Jimmy Connors had chair umpire replaced during Sydney semi-final but lost. Jimmy Connors removed chair umpire Peter Duncan during a semi-final match against…
- Keywords: jimmy connors, gene mayer, sydney, atp, tennis, umpire, semi final, rolland garros, wimbledon, us open, sports, October
- Source: Tennis Majors — https://tennismajors.com/atp/october-17-1982-the-day-jimmy-connors-had-the-umpire-removed-506049.html
- Published: 2026-10-16T22:58:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: jimmy connors, gene mayer, sydney, atp, tennis, umpire, semi final, rolland garros, wimbledon, us open, sports
## The day
October 17, 1982: Jimmy Connors had the chair umpire removed during a semi-final match in Sydney.
## The players
Jimmy Connors, world No 1, and Gene Mayer, ranked No 6.
## The match
Connors lost 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 to Mayer in the semi-finals.
## The umpire incident
Connors demanded umpire Peter Duncan be replaced after arguing with officials.
## The umpire change
Chair umpire Peter Duncan was replaced at the start of the sixth game of the second set.
## The result
Connors lost to Mayer for the first time in his career.
## What happened next
Mayer defeated John McEnroe in the final, Connors won one last major in 1983.
## The aftermath
Connors retired in 1992 after 268 weeks as world No 1.
## Key takeaway

Jimmy Connors removed chair umpire Peter Duncan during a semi-final match against Gene Mayer on October 17, 1982, but lost 6-2, 2-6, 6-3.