Chris Evert fury at Jimmy Connors over hint that abortion ended their relationship By Rachel Quigley and Daily Mail Reporter Tennis great Chris Evert has hit out at former fiance Jimmy Connors for hinting that their relationship ended after she had an abortion against his wishes. "I am extremely disappointed he has misrepresented a private matter that took place 40 years ago," she said last night. The pair were tennis's golden couple in the 1970s but suddenly called off their wedding in 1974. Connors, in his new memoir, The Outsider, has now shed light on the split. An issue had arisen as a result of youthful passion, and a decision had to be made as a couple. Chrissie called to say she was taking care of the "issue,"" he says in his book. Tennis legend Chris Evert pictured for for the first time following Jimmy Connors' shocking claim that the pair split up after she had an abortion Claim: Tennis legend Jimmy Connors strongly hints in his memoir that the reason he and on-court love Chris Evert called off their wedding was because she got pregnant and had an abortion tennis couple: Connors, who won five U.S. Open Titles, and Evert, who won six, captured the nation's hearts when they dated in the seventies, especially after they both won the Wimbledon singles in 1974 The Outsider: A Memoir by Jimmy Connors I was happy to let nature take its course. It was a horrible feeling, but I knew it was over. Getting married wasn't going to be good for us. Connors, who won five U.S. Open Titles, and Evert, who won six, captured the nation's hearts when they dated in the seventies, particularly after they both won the Wimbledon singles in 1974. It was the same year the-then 22 and 19-year-old were due to get married. But the 60-year-old writes in The Outsider about the situation that arose just weeks before their planned wedding. Evert was just 19 at the time and though she was raised as a Catholic, Connors claims it was her idea: 'Chrissie, however, had already made up her mind that the timing was bad and too much was riding on her future. She asked me to handle the details. He wrote that his response was: 'Well thanks for letting me know. Since I don't have any say in the matter, then I guess I am just here to help.' In his mind, the relationship was over at this point and he realized he was not ready to get married. 'It was a horrible feeling, but I knew it was over. getting married wasn't going to be good for either of us.' When he told her they were too young and should take a step back, her reply was: 'OK if that's what you think. I've got a match tomorrow. Not a problem. Evert has won six U.S. Open Titles, captivating America in the 70s Chris and Jimmy were the sweet hearts of tennis and become the 'it' celebrity couple during the 70s And that was it. He said though he loved Evert, he knew both their ambitions would ultimately get in the way of them having a future together. 'It kept going back to the same old question: Can two number ones exist in the same family?' he wrote. As well as this relationship - and his tennis career - Connors also writes about his struggles with dyslexia, the infidelity that almost ended his marriage with Patti McGuire and a gambling addiction, as well as his on-court battles with some of the biggest names in tennis. Connors feared his ambition would keep he and Evert from having a future Wife: Tennis player Jimmy Connors and wife Patti McGuire - a former Playboy playmate - nearly split up because of his infidelity, he reveals in his memoir Friends: Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe and Chris Evert laugh during the opening ceremony on the first day of the US Open in 2006