Novak Djokovic wasn't expected to win gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but doing so proved his greatness, according to former ATP player Jimmy Connors.
Connors is a former legendary player who still holds the record for the most singles trophies that have been won in the Open Era on the ATP Tour. The American was known as a fierce competitor who would do anything to win, and that's how he looks at tennis many years after he retired from the sport.
He has a podcast, in which he talks tennis, among other things, with his son, and in the most recent episode, Connors talked about the 2024 Olympic final. Connors was glad about the final because it was a showdown between two worthy competitors.
He's been a longtime praiser of Djokovic and quite complimentary of Carlos Alcaraz, in whom he sees a similar hunger to his own. He was a hardcore competitor, and he really likes players who remind him of him.
"What do you expect from those two? The kind of tennis that they play and the matches that they play against each other and the effort that they go out and give. Seeing Alcaraz at such a young age, the success that he has had, against Djokovic who has been around for 15 or 20 years and still wanting it."
"Probably this gold medal is as important to him as his first Wimbledon or US Open. Because he’s done the other. He’s won every Grand Slam, many other tournaments, but winning the gold medal here is just the icing on the cake. Almost three hours of play, 7-6, 7-6, what else do you expect?!
The final match was a testament to Djokovic's greatness, as he gave it his all to win the trophy. As Connors noted, it was the win he was missing, so obviously, he went all out to win the medal, which he ultimately did.
"Novak is an amazing player, and what he’s done in the sport is nothing short of remarkable. Winning an Olympic gold medal is a dream for any athlete, and Novak’s perseverance to finally achieve that is a testament to his greatness."
"Novak has that drive, that hunger to be the best. It’s something I can relate to, and it’s part of why he’s been so successful. His ability to sustain that level of excellence over so many years is extraordinary."
Connors never played for the Olympic gold medal, but the American can certainly understand the hunger Djokovic exhibited. It's what propelled him to win as many trophies as he did, which is why he's still the record holder for most singles trophies in the Open Era.
It's actually a record that Djokovic would like to match. Connors currently leads the standings with 109 singles trophies, ahead of the retired Roger Federer, who was able to get to 103.
Djokovic is currently third with 99. Whether he gets it will largely depend on whether he's willing to play a few smaller events.