"He is the older player on the circuit now" - Jimmy Connors has advice for Novak Djokovic on preparations for the US Open

With the 2025 US Open only a few weeks away, several top tennis stars are taking measures to ensure they are in the best shape for the final Grand Slam tournament of the season.

The likes of Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic all announced their withdrawal from the ongoing Canadian Open. However, former World No.1 Jimmy Connors believes Djokovic should take extra steps in order to maximize his ability when Flushing Meadows comes around.

After a semifinal loss to eventual champion Sinner at Wimbledon, Djokovic has not played in any competitive tournament. The 24-time Grand Slam champion withdrew from the Toronto Masters, with his next appearance scheduled for the Cincinnati Open, as main draw action kicks off on Thursday, August 7, 2025.

The Serbian was one of 18 players to pull out from the Canadian Open, either due to rest or injury. Former World No.1 Connors spoke on what players, and in particular Djokovic, have to do in order to be adequately prepared for the US Open.

During the latest episode of his Advantage Connors podcast with his son Brett, Connors was asked if the high number of withdrawals at the Canadian Open were a result of players opting to protect their bodies.

"Yeah, especially if you look at a guy like Djokovic, you know, he’s gotta monitor his time and the effort that he puts in, because he is the older player on the circuit now,” said the eight-time Grand Slam champion. “And if he wants to bring his game up and rise to the top when it supposedly is the most meaningful, which would be the US Open, he’s gotta monitor what’s best, but also be able to play some matches too going into the tournament, so you don’t just go in flat.
“But a lot of the other guys go into the 12 day events, that is a lot of tennis. The only good thing is they’re not three out of five set matches, you know, they’re two out of three. I can see where a lot of the top players that are playing every week and getting to the semis and finals every week — that’s telling on you mentally and physically. I mean, every match should be important, but there’s some results that are your legacy — and that’s Wimbledon and the US Open in my opinion."

World No.1 Jannik Sinner is the defending champion in Cincinnati, having defeated home hope Frances Tiafoe in straight sets.