Jimmy Connors: Djokovic always aims high, even after Olympic Gold

Jimmy Connors dismissed the idea that Novak Djokovic had low expectations for his participation in the US Open. The Serbian player had a surprising exit in the third round of the tournament against the 28th seed Alexei Popyrin, despite being one of the favorites after winning the gold medal at the Olympic Games.

The American 8-time Grand Slam champion spoke on his podcast "Served with Connors," which he shares with his son Brett Connors. Brett commented on Djokovic's exit: “When he got that medal and maybe relaxed a little, celebrated, had some fun, went to Serbia, hung out with his family and friends. He didn’t play any warm-up events.”

“So do you think his expectations coming in might not have been that high? He’s still probably reveling in the Olympic gold medal,” Brett added.

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Jimmy Connors disagreed with his son's opinion and argued that Nole would have expected to win the title: “That (the Olympics) certainly was an accomplishment and the one that was on his bucket list,” said the American. “He’s won everything else, hasn’t he? But I don’t think, especially at this time, when he’s getting older and like everybody else, there’s gonna be an end, I don’t think he’d ever come in not expecting the best of himself.

“Even though he did maybe celebrate a little bit and have some fun, I still think when he ties those shoelaces, he expects to come in and be what he’s been all these years — and that’s a winner,” Connors added. “But I will go back and say that (the Olympics) was a priority and to come off of that and to have won it like he did, probably made him have a different attitude towards a lot of things. But I don’t think he ever wants to cut himself short.”

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The former world No. 1 also considered that Djokovic's elimination, along with Carlos Alcaraz's exit in the second round, opens up the draw for a good opportunity for American players: “I mean, they are young, they are big, they are strong and before I would say they didn’t have quite a healthy experience, but they do now know what it is like to get into the second week of a Grand Slam,” Connors added.

“You can’t win the tournament in the first week, but you can certainly lose it. Now, they made it into the second week. This is when you separate the top from the rest,” Connors added. “With those four guys, Djokovic is out, and Carlos is out, that opens up a whole lot of space for a lot of guys to come through. What an opportunity with those two guys out!”

Novak Djokovic

@DjokerNole

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It wasn’t meant to be tonight. Well played, @AlexeiPopyrin99. Time for me to relax, regroup and move on. Until next time, NYC. 🙏🏼

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