Canadian tennis legend Grant Connell suffers a stroke
North Shore tennis legend Grant Connell is recovering in hospital after suffering a stroke last week. Grant’s father Jim Connell confirmed to the North Shore News that Grant, age 54, suffered a stroke Wednesday, Feb. 19, while jogging in Stanley Park. When the former pro tennis player began experiencing adverse symptoms on his jog, he gave his phone to a passerby and asked him to call 911, said, Jim. He was taken to Vancouver General Hospital where he remains today. “Cognitively he’s great,” said Jim about his son’s recovery. “His sight is OK, his left side is paralyzed at the moment but it’s just too early to see how that is going to go. He’s going to need a lot of rehabilitation.” Grant Connell is regarded as one of the best tennis players in Canadian history. Born in Regina and raised in North Vancouver, Connell played professionally for 12 years from 1986-97, reaching No. 67 in the world in men’s singles. The left-hander made his biggest mark in doubles, reaching the world No. 1 overall ranking for doubles players in 1993. He won 22 tour doubles titles in his career and reached at least the…