After Novak Djokovic’s loss to Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open, former world number one Jimmy Connors expressed his opinion on the matter. The American praised the performance of players like Sinner and Daniil Medvedev for taking on prominent roles after the “big three” era, although he cautioned that Djokovic should not be ruled out for the future.
The Italian ended Djokovic’s streak of 33 consecutive victories in Melbourne and secured his first Grand Slam.
Connors’ opinion on Djokovic and the young stars
The 8-time Grand Slam champion spoke in the latest episode of his Advantage Connors podcast about the change of era in tennis. The American stressed that ‘Nole’ still has a lot to offer and that he will seek titles in the next Grand Slams:
“What I like about Medvedev and Sinner is that it seems like these young people are starting to take a step forward. I know that [Roger] Federer is no longer here and [Rafael] “Nadal has gone through another bad streak, he has been injured again, and I don’t know what the future holds for him,” the American said.
“But ‘Djoker’ is still there and still trying to break records and put his reputation on the line and all that, and it seems like these young guys are now saying, ‘Hey, maybe it’s our turn.’ And you know, Federer has gone and Nadal is injured, but ‘Djoker’ is still there grinding.
“But on the other hand, don’t rule him out, because he always seems to find a way to find something that inspires him, that motivates him. You know, to get back on his game, to get back on track. So he has those few years on top of that and that happens to everyone.
“I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. What I’m saying is that he will find a way to use everything he can to get back on track and win a French tournament, Wimbledon or the US Open before the year is out.
“So all this does is establish another good rivalry in tennis (between Djokovic and Sinner), and it’s needed. It’s needed, the old man and the young. Who will come out on top? This time Sinner did it, what will happen next time? I can’t wait to see it,” Connors added.
A final without the big three
Connors emphasized the importance of witnessing a Grand Slam final without any members of the big three, stating that the younger generation has cemented its presence on the tennis landscape:
“It was a different final, not having a Federer, a Nadal or a Djokovic in the final of a Grand Slam,” said Connors.
“Obviously, all three have dominated the Grand Slams in the last 15 years, and playing in a final without any of the three in it created a little more interest and attracted more people. Tennis needs that too.
“Fans want their champions, the winners, the record-breakers and all that. But they also want to know, when those guys leave, who’s going to take their place? And I think they’re seeing it now. They’ve had a good vision of the young people who come”.
2024-02-06 21:31:48
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