Jimmy Connors’ stern warning to Novak Djokovic after dismal US Open play and exit

Jimmy Connors is warning Novak Djokovic that the competition definitely can sense when he is beatable and highlights that the youngsters are the ones especially preying on chances to beat the record 24-time Grand Slam champion. 

At this year’s US Open, the defending champion never looked like his usual self as he was mightily struggling with his serve and overall it was evident that he wasn’t physically or mentally where he needed to be. And Alexei Popyrin took full advantage of it, stunning the No. 2 seed 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4 in the third round to give the 37-year-old Serb his earlier exit at Flushing Meadows in 18 years.

Following his shock exit, Djokovic ripped his performance in New York as “one of the worst tennis” he had ever played and also confirmed that he wasn’t in the best condition to go out there to compete.

Connors’ warning to Djokovic: Once you lose that aura around you…

“He (Djokovic) went from the grass to the clay with all the hype and pressure of winning the Olympic gold. 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,” the former eight-time Grand Slam champion and world No. 1 said on the Advantage Connors podcast.

“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.”

After the Serbian tennis star failed to win any of the opening three Grand Slams of the year, some were already writing him off. But then, he impressively bounced by winning his maiden Olympic gold medal in Paris. 

For Djokovic, that’s encouraging news and he will definitely be looking to do much better in the rest of the year.