Former world No 1 Jimmy Connors has outlined the scenario that he thinks will need to unfold for Novak Djokovic to consider retiring from tennis.
The eight-time Grand Slam champion does not feel Djokovic has had “a drop in motivation” given his dedication, while he also asserted he will never count the Serbian out.
Djokovic will be the last man standing from the Big Four generation after the retirements of Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal — who will step away next month.
The 37-year-old legend possesses almost all the key records in men’s tennis, while he added an Olympic gold medal to his incredible trophy collection at the 2024 Paris Games. An Olympic gold was the only significant tennis prize that had previously eluded Djokovic.
Djokovic has won the most men’s Grand Slam titles (24), the most Masters 1000 titles (40), the most ATP Finals titles (seven) and he has spent the most weeks as the ATP world No 1 (428).
Speaking on the Advantage Connors podcast, Connors argued Djokovic will only call time on his career if more young players step up to join Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at the very top.
“It’s hard to me to say he has had a drop in motivation because he does everything over the course of his day to make him as good as can be,” the American said.
“With his training and his eating, everything about his day is centred around tennis and being as good as he can be.
“I am trying to say it the right way. Getting older is getting older. You have a lot of the young guys who are seeing maybe he’s not what he used to be, that old grey mare. A little vulnerable. He’s not quite playing up to the standard we are used to seeing.
“But he has got the kind of game I like. He has a good return, aggressive return. I am not counting him out ever. He has got guts, the game, intensity. He is like [Rafael] Nadal, he’s not going to go out there unless he is ready to play.
“We talk Sinner and Alcaraz, but the only way he is going to say it’s time to go is if some of those other guys start stepping up too, or else he will keep hanging, and what’s wrong with that?”