“Don’t think Novak Djokovic would ever come in not expecting best of himself” – Jimmy Connors

Former World No.1 Jimmy Connors has claimed that Novak Djokovic didn’t take things for granted after his exit from the US Open. The defending champion was stunned by Australia’s Alexei Popyrin in the third round as he suffered a 4-6, 6-2, 4-6, 4-6 loss.

The Serbian could not bring his best to the Arthur Ashe Stadium and had to pay the price against the Australian. Djokovic was entering the New York Major after winning the Gold medal at the Paris Olympics.

Ergo, the 24-time Grand Slam champion’s season ended without any Major in 2024. Jimmy Connors and his son Brett Connors discussed Djokovic’s loss on former’s podcast.

“When he got that medal and maybe relaxed a little, celebrated, had some fun, went to Serbia, hung out with his family and friends. He didn’t play any warm-up events. So do you think like his expectations coming in might not have been that high? He’s still probably revelling in the Olympic gold medal,” Brett asked his father in a recent episode of the Advantage Connors podcast.

While disagreeing with his son, senior Connors said, “That certainly was an accomplishment and the one that was on his bucket list. He’s won everything else hasn’t he. But I don’t think, especially at this time, when he’s getting older and like everybody else, there’s gonna be an end, I don’t think he’d ever come in not expecting the best of himself.”

Jimmy added that Novak Djokovic is always motivated to win whenever he steps on the court and there was no complacency factor in his loss.

“Even though he did, maybe celebrate a little bit and have some fun all that, I still think when he ties those shoelaces, he expects to come in and be what he’s been all these years, and that’s a winner.

“But I will go back and say that was a priority and to come off of that and to have won it like he did, probably made him kind of have a different attitude towards a lot of things. But I don’t think he ever wants to cut himself short.”

Along with Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz suffered a second-round exit from Flushing Meadows.