Jimmy Connors has dismissed theories about Novak Djokovic having reduced expectations for this year's US Open, arguing that the Serbian always expects the best of himself.
Djokovic lost in the third round of the US Open to Alexei Popyrin. Although the Australian won the Canadian Open a couple of weeks before the year's final Grand Slam, the result was still surprising.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible success can make it easy to forget that he is 37 years old, an age at which most players retire. Mats Wilander made this point, saying Djokovic's success should be a bigger shock than his defeats.
Some have wondered whether Djokovic's Olympic efforts contributed to his early exit from the US Open. The Serbian claimed the gold medal that had eluded him for so long by beating Carlos Alcataz 7-6, 7-6.
Martina Navratilova was not surprised by Djokovic's loss. She said it would always be difficult for the former world No. 1 to regain his form in his next tournament after the Olympics.
Most of Djokovic's online fans have also argued that the four-time US Open champion burning out was always a distinct possibility after his efforts at the Olympics since securing Olympic gold was his primary goal for the season.
However, Connors does not think Djokovic had lower expectations of himself at the US Open. Speaking on the Advantage Connors podcast, the eight-time Grand Slam singles champion argued that Djokovic's age would prevent him from not expecting the best of himself.
"That certainly was an accomplishment and the one that was on his bucket list. 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."
Connors acknowledged that the Olympics were a priority for Djokovic and that achieving his goal of winning a gold medal could change his attitude to some things. But the American does not think the Serbian would ever cut himself short.
"But I will go back and say that was a priority and to come off of that and to have won it like he did, probably made him kind of have a different attitude towards a lot of things. But I don’t think he ever wants to cut himself short."
The five-time US Open champion is also excited about how the draw has opened up for American players after Djokovic and Alcaraz lost in the early rounds. He is also confident about the players' future prospects, as the top American players are in their 20s.
"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."
"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."
"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!"
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