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Tennis legend Jimmy Connors has issued a strong message regarding Novak Djokovic’s future following his Australian Open loss to young rival Jannik Sinner.
The rise of the new generation
At the Australian Open 2024, Djokovic, who dominated the world of tennis for years, suffered a decisive defeat in four sets against world number four Sinner – his first defeat at this event since 2018.
Sinner, who ended Djokovic’s 33-game winning streak in Melbourne, then won his first Grand Slam title with a five-set win over Daniil Medvedev in the final. In the latest episode of the Advantage Connors podcast, Connors praised Sinner and Medvedev and explained why it would be a mistake to write off world number one Djokovic.
“What I like about Medvedev and Sinner – it seems like these young players are taking a step forward now. I know, [Roger] Federer is no longer there and [Rafael] “Nadal is having another difficult phase, he is injured again – and we don’t know what the future has in store for him,” said the American.
Djokovic – Far from finished
But Connors warns against writing off Djokovic. Despite the emerging young talent and the physical challenges faced by older players, he emphasizes Djokovic’s ability to continually motivate himself and return to the top.
“But ‘Djoker’ is still there, still trying to break records… It seems like these young players are now saying, ‘Hey, maybe now is our time.’ But then again, don’t count him out because he always seems to find a way to find something that inspires him, that motivates him.” Connors speculates that Djokovic could manage to win another major title such as the French Open, Wimbledon or the US Open later this year.
In addition, he sees the rivalry between Djokovic and Sinner as an invigorating factor for tennis, which arouses the interest of both old and young fans. Connors sees the men’s final of the Australian Open, which did not feature the Big Three, as positive for the future of tennis.
“It was a different final, without a Federer, Nadal or Djokovic in a Grand Slam final… Tennis needs that too.” This competition between the established elite and emerging talent promises to keep the sport of tennis exciting and dynamic, while the question arises as to who will fill the void left by the tennis legends.
2024-02-07 17:04:50
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