Jimmy Connors reveals he was fairly stunned to listen to Novak Djokovic brazenly admit that he was not on Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s stage anymore because the American tennis legend suggests that would presumably give a way that the Serb is “feeling defeated.”
Final yr, Djokovic turned the primary man with 24 Grand Slams and that solely solidified his standing because the participant who nearly all the time delivers within the latter phases of Majors.
However in early 2024, Djokovic’s profitable streak on the Australian Open got here to an finish after present world No. 1 Sinner handed him a 6-1 6-2 6-7 (6) 6-3 loss within the semifinal. Not solely that Djokovic did not seem like powerless that day, however it was additionally his first defeat at Melbourne Park since 2018.
Then at this previous Wimbledon, Djokovic did not stand a lot of an opportunity towards Alcaraz because the Spaniard ousted him with a 6-2 6-2 7-6 (4) scoreline.
Afterward, Djokovic confessed that each Sinner and Alcaraz have been a step forward of him for the time being.
Reflecting on that, former eight-time Grand Slam champion Connors wasn’t a fan of that transfer.
“Man I might by no means admit that. That’s simply me. I might assume that, from the within of me I’d be saying I’m gonna do every little thing to try to keep up there and compete with them. And to be pretty much as good as I may to match them versus saying I’m not on their stage,” Connors stated on the Benefit Connors podcast.
“Typically, we all the time discuss confidence and the psychological side of this, you don’t need everybody to go in feeling defeated. And towards a Sinner or an Alcaraz, to say nicely I’m not in your stage, perhaps it’s reverse psychology that he’s throwing on the market that, then if I win, I’m superhuman!”
What Djokovic precisely stated about Alcaraz’s efficiency towards him?
After shedding his serve twice within the opening set and never getting any breaks, the identical occurred to Djokovic within the second set. Within the third set, Djokovic did handle to place up larger resistance however nonetheless it wasn’t sufficient for the report 24-time Grand Slam champion to win a single set.
And afterward, Djokovic admitted to feeling “inferior” on the court docket to Alcaraz.
“The best way I felt on the court docket immediately towards him, I used to be inferior on the court docket. He was a greater participant. That’s it. He performed each single shot higher than I did. I don’t assume I may’ve finished way more… he wasn’t permitting me to have free factors on my serve,” Djokovic stated.
“He performed with loads of selection. I’ve by no means seen him serve that means. 136. I’ve by no means seen him serve that quick. He should’ve had a extremely good serving apply day yesterday. He actually outplayed me… he was higher than me in each side of the sport.”
What Djokovic stated about Alcaraz and Sinner’s stage
The season is ready to enter its eighth month however Djokovic has but to win a title this yr. On the opposite aspect, Sinner received the Australian Open whereas Alcaraz received back-to-back Slam titles on the French Open and Wimbledon.
After the Wimbledon remaining loss, Djokovic famous that he wanted to enhance and discover a method to beat Alcaraz and Sinner with a view to have an opportunity towards them within the deep phases of Slams.
“With the ability to attain the ultimate of Wimbledon provides a terrific confidence increase. However I additionally really feel like in a matchup immediately towards the very best participant on this planet proper now for certain, aside from Jannik, each of them are the very best this yr by far… I really feel like I’m not at that stage,” Djokovic stated.
“With the intention to actually have an opportunity to beat these guys within the Grand Slam latter phases or Olympics, I’m gonna should play a lot better than I did immediately and really feel a lot better than I did immediately. It’s not one thing I haven’t skilled earlier than in my life.. within the face of adversity, usually I rise, be taught, & get stronger. That’s what I’m going to do.”
Going into the Paris Olympics, many had Alcaraz and Sinner as the 2 prime favorites for the title. However on Wednesday, Sinner pulled out of the Olympics on account of tonsillitis.
On paper, not having to cope with Sinner in Paris will make it simpler for Djokovic to attain his aim of profitable his first gold medal. Nevertheless, there may be nonetheless Alcaraz and there’s no doubt that Djokovic will not take something with no consideration on the Olympics.