Jimmy Connors warns opponents to not write off aging Novak Djokovic even if the Serb “lost the aura around” him

Jimmy Connors thinks it's hard for 37-year-old Novak Djokovic to perform consistently and challenge youngsters.

Jimmy Connors warns opponents to not write off aging Novak Djokovic even if the Serb “lost the aura around” him

Novak Djokovic, Jimmy Connors (Images via X, The Today Show)

Former World No. 1 Jimmy Connors believes that Novak Djokovic has lost his aura, as the Serb has failed to win any title on the ATP Tour this year, let alone a Grand Slam trophy. Djokovic recently was eliminated from the US Open by Alexei Popyrin in the third round, making it the first time he has failed to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows in 18 years. 

Djokovic has also skipped many tournaments this season, including a few ATP 1000 Masters. Last year, he looked at his through the season, winning seven titles, including three Majors. Connors, a winner of eight Grand Slam trophies, thinks an aging Djokovic has to do more as he “lost that aura around” him. That said, the American warned the Serb’s opponents to never write him off. 

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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.
Jimmy Connors said on the Advantage Connors podcast

The only time Djokovic was beaten at the Grand Slams was in the Wimbledon final when Carlos Alcaraz beat him in a five-set thriller. This year, however, his first final came at Wimbledon, where he was beaten comprehensively by the young Spaniard.

Djokovic had set his eyes on the Olympic gold medal and was successful in clinching the elusive title for the first time in his career, becoming the fifth player to achieve the Career Golden Slam. 

Jack Draper feels the Olympics was the reason behind Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz’s early US Open exits

Besides Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz was also knocked out of the US Open early, with the Spaniard losing to Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round. Alcaraz, who won his first French Open and defended his Wimbledon title this year, won the silver medal on his Olympics debut in Paris. However, he has only produced mediocre performances in all tournaments since then. 

Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz (3)
Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz (Images via Imago)

Had Alcaraz won his second-round match, he would have faced Jack Draper, who defeated Zandschulp in the third round. Draper opined that both Djokovic and Alcaraz performed poorly at Flushing Meadows because of the Olympics. 

The Olympics took take toll on everyone, but they made it to the final and it was a very emotional event for both of them.
Jack Draper said at the press conference

Djokovic has made it clear that he doesn’t have many regrets about not winning a Major this season, for his main goal was to win the Olympic gold medal that had eluded him for many years. One of the former World No. 1’s next targets is to win the Shanghai Masters. 

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