2024 has been the least successful year of Novak Djokovic's career since 2017. However, Jimmy Connors thinks writing off the 24-time Grand Slam champion would be unwise.
Djokovic dominated the sport in 2023. Despite turning 36 during that season, he won three Grand Slam titles, his seventh ATP Finals, and finished as the year-end No. 1 for the eighth time.
The Serbian also came incredibly close to winning the calendar Grand Slam for the first time. Carlos Alcaraz stopped him by defeating Djokovic in one of the best Wimbledon finals ever.
2024 has been different. For the first time in seven years, Djokovic will end the season without securing a Grand Slam. His only final was another loss at Wimbledon to Alcaraz, this time in straight sets.
However, the 37-year-old still achieved his main goal this year. Djokovic claimed the Olympic gold medal that eluded him throughout his career, producing an outstanding serving performance to overcome Alcaraz 7-6, 7-6.
That triumph means Djokovic has won every significant prize in the sport. It remains to be seen whether he can keep himself motivated enough at his age to challenge Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and other players for the biggest tournaments.
After the news broke that Rafael Nadal would retire at next month's Davis Cup Finals, Djokovic admitted that part of him has already left with Nadal, as well as Roger Federer and Andy Murray, who have already retired.
The former world No. 1's approach is to focus his attention on Grand Slams and representing Serbia. That explains his decision to withdraw from the Paris Masters next week, even though that threatens his place at the ATP Finals.
Eight-time Grand Slam singles champion Connors is not ruling out Djokovic's chances of winning more Grand Slams next year. Speaking on his podcast Advantage Connors, the 72-year-old thinks the Serbian still has the game to compete and compared him to Nadal.
"And also, I'm not counting him out ever. He's got guts. He's got the game. He's got the intensity. He's in shape. He's like Nadal. He's not going to go out there unless he is ready to play."
Although Connors admitted that Djokovic has not been at the same standard as players like Sinner and Alcaraz recently, the 10-time Australian Open possesses a game that Connors likes and which could be suited to keep himself competitive at the age of 37.
"He's (Djokovic) not quite playing at the standard that they're used to seeing so that gives them a little confidence too. But I also got to say that he's got the kind of game that I like. Steps into the ball, takes it a little bit early. He's got a good return, aggressive return."
Djokovic's vastly improved serve compared to the early stages of his career could be another element that helps him to stay competitive, as he proved in the Olympic gold medal match against Alcaraz.
The Serbian has proved his doubters wrong on many occasions and would undoubtedly love to do so again by winning an 11th Australian Open at the start of next year.
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