Jimmy Connors, who was on court for Eugenie Bouchard's practice sessions before the U.S. Open, says he has been helping the Canadian but will not be there for the first week of the tournament.

"I’m not a coach," the former No. 1 told the Wall Street Journal. "I’m happy to be back for a couple of days to do what I can. If you find that little thing that clicks, that’s key for anybody, not just Genie, but for any of the top players."

Bouchard has won just five matches since the Australian Open and is 1-3 in hard-court tournaments coming into the U.S. Open. She stopped working with coach Sam Sumyk following Wimbledon.

Connors believes the 21-year-old can return to the form that took her to No. 5 just last year. The eight-time Grand Slam singles champion, who has previously worked with Andy Roddick and—briefly—Maria Sharapova, will return during the second week of the Open and indicated that he would be in Bouchard's corner if she is still in the tournament.

"I like her work ethic and the way she goes about her business,” he said. "You can’t paint that on anybody, that’s either there or it’s not. She deserves to be at the top and she’s shown that.

"She has everything that it takes."

Bouchard plays Alison Riske in the first round.