"Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal aren't even the greatest of all time in their own era" - Jimmy Connors on the rise of Novak Djokovic
Jimmy Connors has claimed that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal cannot be considered the greatest players of their own generation due to Novak Djokovic's dominance.
Connors joined his son Brett on the 'Advantage Connors' podcast to discuss the recently concluded 2023 Wimbledon Championships. In the men's final of the grasscourt Major, Carlos Alcaraz defeated Djokovic 1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 to claim his second Grand Slam title.
During the podcast, Brett Connors commented on the Wimbledon crowd seemingly favoring Alcaraz over the Serb. He questioned the apparent lack of support for arguably the greatest player in history.
Jimmy Connors responded that the lack of crowd support for the 23-time Grand Slam champion stemmed from fans believing that he had already achieved enough in his career. Connors expressed his disagreement with this perspective.
He highlighed how both Federer and Nadal were hailed as the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) and enjoyed overwhelming crowd support. This was despite the duo not being the undisputed greatest players of their own era.
"It comes to a point where a lot of people think he’s had enough. To me that’s bulls**t. Look at all the people that were on the Federer bandwagon and the Nadal bandwagon as the greatest of all time. They’re not even the greatest of all time in their own era," he said.
The American stated that despite the crowd's desire for the Serb to step aside and a new contender to emerge, he wanted the 36-year-old to keep going.
"They think that maybe he’s had enough and it’s time for somebody else to come up. I look at it the other way, I say 'Kill it.' Stay out there and play until somebody just comes up and beats your brains out because you always got a chance to win," he added.
"As long as Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are playing, there'll be no change of era" - Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz's victory at Wimbledon 2023 put an end to Novak Djokovic's 34-match winning streak at SW19. It also marked the Serb's first defeat on Centre Court in 10 years.
Moreover, the Spaniard's triumph put an end to the dominant reign of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray at Wimbledon. Alcaraz became the first Wimbledon champion outside of the Big 4 since Lleyton Hewitt in 2002.
After the match, the 20-year-old was asked whether his victory at SW19 signalled the start of a new era in tennis. He contended that as long as Nadal and Djokovic remained active players, there would be no change of era.
"I don't think so, I don't think so because as long as Rafa and Djokovic are playing and are active, there will be no change of era. In a few years, when they retire and don't play anymore, the debate may come up again. Now it's not the moment," he told Marca.