Jimmy Connors Blasts Novak Djokovic’s Retirement Claims: “You Can’t Ask Anything More”

Novak Djokovic is expected to return to the tour during the clay-court season.

Jimmy Connors Blasts Novak Djokovic’s Retirement Claims: “You Can’t Ask Anything More”

Novak Djokovic and Jimmy Connors (via X/Olly Tennis/we love tennis)

In Short
  • Jimmy Connors defends Novak Djokovic against retirement criticism, stating he should decide his own career path.
  • Djokovic has only participated in two tournaments this year, citing age and physical strain as reasons for selective participation.
  • He plans to return for the clay-court season, starting with the Monte Carlo Masters in April.

Former World No.1 Jimmy Connors has told Novak Djokovic‘s detractors that they have no right to tell the tennis legend when to retire from professional tennis. Connors’ statement comes days after Djokovic withdrew from the Miami Open due to an injury, but that decision has led to a barrage of criticism from fans.

Djokovic has competed in just two tournaments this year, fewer than even Jack Draper, who just returned from a six-month injury. The 38-year-old is keeping up with the trend of missing out on tournaments and being tactical on which tournaments he plays. He withdrew from the Adelaide International earlier in the year due to fitness issues.

After that, he made a heroic run at the Australian Open, defeating Jannik Sinner in a five-set thriller in the semi-finals before losing to Carlos Alcaraz in four sets in the championship match. He then opted to rest, skipping the Middle East swing, but returned to compete at the Indian Wells Open in California.

He reached the round of 16 of the match before losing to 2025 champion Draper in three sets. He was serving to compete for a seventh title at the Miami Open, but he announced days before the tournament kick-off that he would not participate in the event due to a shoulder injury. However, some fans were not happy with his decision as they believe he picks and chooses tournaments.

Some fans believe that it is perhaps the right time for him to retire from competitive tennis, with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz already dominating the men’s circuit. Connors was not well pleased with the comments and slammed Davis on his podcast Advantage Connors, stressing that Djokovic should be left to do anything he seems fit to do on and off the court:

You can’t take away from Novak what he loves so much. His style of play, his record prove it, the pleasure he gets on the court, his quest for a level that satisfies him… that’s the essential point and the main argument. He doesn’t have to answer to anyone, not to you or me, mere spectators. He has to enjoy himself, and if he steps onto the court and feels he’s accomplished everything he needed to in this sport, but still wants to continue… you can’t ask anything more of him.

Djokovic silenced his critics at the Australian Open when he defeated Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals. He had gone into the match as the second favorite, but he showed class in the five-set thriller that lasted for over four hours at the Rod Laver Arena. Though he didn’t win the title, that performance will never be forgotten.

Novak Djokovic told to play more matches before big tournaments

Novak Djokovic has often stressed that his age and physical strain are the reasons he can’t play every tournament. Despite not thinking about retirement, he believes that it is the best tactic to give himself the needed rest and focus on big events. Skipping the Miami Open means he will lose 650 ranking points.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/SK)

But the former World No.1 doesn’t care much about the ATP rankings, and he’s the oldest player in the top 20 in the ATP rankings. During a conversation on Sky Sports about Djokovic’s withdrawal from the Miami Open, tennis legend Martina Navratilova pointed out that the Serbian legend needs to play more matches before big tournaments:

We haven’t noticed anything wrong with his shoulder here, but the balls and everything else are heavier in Miami, so who knows? Hopefully, he’ll be fine and we’ll see him back soon. I think he needs to play more matches before the big tournaments. I think he’s been so withdrawn that, even though he’s as solid as he is, I feel he needs a few more matches to be at his best.

Djokovic is expected to return to the court during the clay-court season, which kicks off in April. The ATP clay season will open with the Monte Carlo Masters in Monaco, before the Barcelona and Madrid Open, and then the Italian Open. The French Open will bring to an end the clay season in June.

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