Jimmy Connors has raised concerns about Novak Djokovic’s ability to keep up with the younger generation, particularly Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, as the Serb navigates a challenging season by his lofty standards. Djokovic’s latest campaign at the French Open ended with a straight-sets semifinal loss to Sinner, continuing a trend of struggles against the Italian.
Although Djokovic’s form has declined in recent years, he still shows flashes of brilliance. He earned notable victories in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and French Open over top players like Alcaraz and Zverev, proving he remains a formidable force in big moments.
Despite trailing Sinner 5-4 in their head-to-head, including five defeats in their last six meetings, Djokovic still holds a slight edge over Alcaraz, winning five of their eight encounters. However, the consistency and energy of the younger stars appear to be taking a toll on the 24 time Grand Slam champion.
Speaking on his Advantage Connors podcast, the former world No. 1 and eight-time Major winner expressed cautious optimism about Djokovic’s chances at Wimbledon, stating: “Sure. Why not? He’s had success on all surfaces and Grand Slam courts. That’s impressive.”
Connors, however, emphasized the challenges Djokovic faces due to age, especially in best-of-five-set matches. He noted that the issue isn’t just surviving long battles but being physically and mentally ready for the next round something much harder as an older athlete.
Connors added that Djokovic would’ve benefited greatly from beating Sinner at Roland Garros, as a win there could’ve boosted his confidence heading into the grass-court season. Still, he warned that age makes it increasingly difficult to compete with the younger generation.
“Facing these younger guys in long matches is brutal,” Connors said. “It’s not just about scraping through a tight fourth or fifth set. The real challenge is recovering and being at your peak in the next match. By the time you hit the quarters or semis, you’re supposed to be finding your rhythm not battling fatigue.”
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