JIMMY CONNORS SENDS NOVAK DJOKOVIC WARNING AS HE ISSUES VULNERABILITY VERDICT AFTER US OPEN SHOCK
Jimmy Connors has assessed that young ATP players no longer think Novak Djokovic is “unbeatable” and argued they sense the 37-year-old has lost his “aura” following his early US Open exit.
The former world No 1 believes it is hard for Djokovic to make the sacrifices required to compete with his young rivals at his age, but warned not to write off the great Serb.
Djokovic‘s US Open title defence ended with a surprise four-set defeat to world No 28 Alexei Popyrin in the third round at Flushing Meadows.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion struggled badly with his serve throughout his US Open campaign and hit 14 double faults against Popyrin.
“Honestly, the way I felt and the way I played from the beginning of this tournament, third round is a success,” Djokovic told reporters after losing to the 25-year-old Australian.
“I mean, I have played some of the worst tennis I have ever played, honestly, serving by far the worst ever.”
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Djokovic was playing his first tournament since he won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in stunning fashion.
Speaking on the Advantage Connors podcast, Connors suggested Djokovic’s air of invincibility is fading, but added he would not be counting the Serbian out.
“He (Djokovic) went from the grass to the clay with all the hype and pressure of winning the Olympic gold,” said the eight-time Grand Slam winner. “Then to come back on hard courts, he hasn’t prepared by playing any matches.
“These young kids, once they get a feel that you’ve lost that aura around you, that you’re unbeatable and that they have a chance, a lot of these kids, they see that now. And that’s what happened.
“We always talk about this. You’re getting a little bit older and you’re either going to have to train harder, work harder, sacrifice, whatever. These kids, they’re on it, they’re on your tail.
“And sometimes it’s hard for a guy like Djokovic, being 37, week after week to get to that point. But I don’t think you can ever count him out.”
Djokovic secured seven titles, including three majors, in an outstanding 2023 campaign, but has won only one tournament so far in 2024.
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