Connors surprised by Djokovic's comments: “I would never admit that'"

Former world No. 1 Jimmy Connors criticized Novak Djokovic's statements following his defeat in the Wimbledon final against Carlos Alcaraz. The American said he hopes Nole is using reverse psychology with his young rivals after admitting: “I’m going to have to play much better” to beat them.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion lost for the second consecutive year to Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final. If in 2023 the match was decided in a tight 5-set duel, this time the Spaniard finished the match in just two and a half hours, winning 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4).

“Maybe it’s reverse psychology” – Jimmy Connors

Despite Djokovic having a good tournament at SW19, the final ended in a disappointing defeat, extending a title-less year so far for the Serbian, who also lost the No. 1 ranking several months ago to Sinner. Nole is the player defending the most points in the second half of the year, with over 5,000 points, and could continue to drop in the rankings.

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After falling in the final to Alcaraz, Djokovic commented: “Being able to reach the final of Wimbledon gives a great confidence boost. But I also feel like in a matchup against the best player in the world right now for sure, other than Jannik, both of them are the best this year by far, I feel like I’m not at that level.”

“In order to really have a chance to, I guess, beat these guys in Grand Slam latter stages or Olympics, I’m going to have to play much better than I did and feel much better than I did,” the 7-time Wimbledon champion added. “I’m going to work on it. It’s not something I haven’t experienced before ever in my life. I’ve had so many different experiences throughout my career. In the face of adversity, normally I rise and I learn and get stronger.”

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz at 2023 Wimbledon.

The 8-time Grand Slam champion Jimmy Connors responded with surprise to Djokovic's comments, “Man, I would never admit that. That’s just me,” he said on the Advantage Connors podcast. “I would think that, from the inside of me I’d be saying I’m gonna do everything to try and stay up there and compete with them. And to be as good as I could to match them as opposed to saying I am not on their level.”

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“Sometimes, we always talk about confidence and the mental aspect of this, you don’t want everyone to go in feeling defeated,” Connors added. “And against a Sinner or an Alcaraz, to say well I’m not on your level, maybe it’s reverse psychology that he’s throwing out there that, then if I win, I’m superhuman!”