“They need someone to come in” – Jimmy Connors claims Novak Djokovic’s presence is good for tennis amid Carlos Alcaraz-Jannik Sinner dominance
American tennis legend Jimmy Connors has highlighted the importance of Novak Djokovic on the ATP Tour, even at the age of 38, amid the rising dominance of young stars Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Sinner and Alcaraz have emerged as the two best performers on the tour, reflected in the fact that they have won each of the last eight Grand Slam titles. Even a seasoned 24-time Grand Slam champion like Djokovic has found it difficult to stop the dominant duo. The Serb has struggled immensely in his matches against both the Spaniard and the Italian, struggles attributed to his advancing age and injury concerns.
Despite this, eight-time Grand Slam champion Connors remains optimistic about Djokovic’s presence on the tour. He believes that the rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz similarly needs Djokovic, much like Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer did in their era.
Connors said, “It is crazy, and so the young guys are going to have to step it up, and I say that with utmost respect, because if not, you’re just going to have an Alcaraz-Sinner, Alcaraz-Sinner, Alcaraz-Sinner, you know, basically you’ve had that for the last eight Slams.”
He added, “Federer-Nadal, all of a sudden, had Djoker and then Murray. They had some in and out who made it a little more exciting, but they need somebody to come in or be a part of that.”
Notably, Novak Djokovic has also faced defeats against Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in his last three Grand Slam appearances. Djokovic was defeated by Sinner at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, while Alcaraz overcame the 24-time Grand Slam champion at the US Open.
**Novak Djokovic on Aging and Physical Challenges**
After his semifinal loss to Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open 2025, Djokovic spoke candidly about his aging body. The Spaniard dominated Djokovic in straight sets, highlighting the challenges the Serbian star now faces.
Djokovic expressed his concerns over his body’s condition at the age of 38, despite his meticulous care and rigorous fitness routine. He said, “You know, nowadays I am more concerned than I have ever been. Even though I really am meticulous with the care for my body and I put in a lot of hours on and off the court to make sure that my body is fit and recovered well.”
He also mentioned that due to his physical concerns, he has had to change the way he trains and approaches the game, adapting to his body’s new demands.
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**About the Author**
Soumik Bhattacharya is a journalist at Sportskeeda who covers US Olympics. Currently an Honors student of Journalism and Mass Communication, Soumik has worked as a tennis and football content writer for various firms. His favorite Olympian is Michael Phelps, the eight-time Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer who he believes revolutionized swimming. Soumik is particularly interested in Track & Field sports, with Neeraj Chopra’s historic gold-medal victory at the 2020 Tokyo Games being his favorite Olympic moment.
He sources data and facts from credible outlets like BBC and NBC to ensure accurate and relevant reporting, keeping up with updates on social media and news platforms. Soumik feels that covering collegiate tournaments in the United States is a good way to bridge the coverage gap during the Olympics off-season.
When not reporting on the latest Olympics news, Soumik enjoys playing cricket and watching movies.
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*Edited by Tushar Bahl*
https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-they-need-someone-come-in-jimmy-connors-claims-novak-djokovic-s-presence-good-tennis-amid-carlos-alcaraz-jannik-sinner-dominance
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