Former world No. 1 Jimmy Connors has shared his insights on what might lead Novak Djokovic to consider retirement from tennis. The eight-time Grand Slam champion emphasized that he doesn’t believe Djokovic has experienced a “drop in motivation.” In fact, Connors firmly stated he will never underestimate the Serbian superstar.
With Roger Federer, Andy Murray, and Rafael Nadal all retiring from the sport, Djokovic stands as the last representative of the legendary Big Four generation. At 37, he has amassed an extraordinary collection of records, including 24 men’s Grand Slam titles and 40 Masters 1000 titles. Recently, he added an Olympic gold medal to his accolades at the 2024 Paris Games, a significant achievement that had previously eluded him.
In his discussion on the Advantage Connors podcast, Connors suggested that Djokovic will only consider retirement if younger talents, like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, rise to prominence alongside him. “It’s hard for me to say he has had a drop in motivation because he does everything over the course of his day to make himself as good as he can be,” Connors noted, highlighting Djokovic’s dedication to training, nutrition, and overall preparation.
Connors elaborated, “Getting older is part of the game. Young players might perceive that he’s not at his peak anymore, that he’s a bit more vulnerable, perhaps not playing to the standard we expect.” However, he believes Djokovic still possesses a game that commands respect. “He has an aggressive return and plays with intensity. He’s got guts, and I’m not counting him out ever,” Connors added.
He likened Djokovic’s approach to that of Rafael Nadal, stating, “He won’t step onto the court unless he’s fully prepared.” According to Connors, while Sinner and Alcaraz are making waves, Djokovic’s decision to retire will ultimately depend on the emergence of other strong competitors. “If those younger guys don’t start stepping up, he’ll just keep hanging around—and honestly, what’s wrong with that?”
In essence, as long as Djokovic continues to compete at a high level and remains passionate about the game, retirement is far from his immediate horizon.