"Would be interesting to hear if Novak Djokovic even considered Rafael Nadal a threat" - Jimmy Connors on Spaniard's Australian Open withdrawal
Jimmy Connors has contemplated how Rafael Nadal's withdrawal from the 2024 Australian Open might impact Novak Djokovic.
Nadal was forced to pull out of the year's first Grand Slam after sustaining a hip injury at the Brisbane International. The Spaniard suffered the setback while making a comeback to the tour after a 12-month absence.
On the Advantage Connors podcast, Connors contemplated the implications of Nadal's withdrawal on Djokovic's prospects at the Melbourne Slam, questioning whether the Serb even considered that aspect.
"With him out, what does that do to Djoker? Does that open the door for him even more without having to worry about Nadal or if he even thought about that or considered that?" Connors said (at 21:33).
The American expressed an interest in learning whether Djokovic had even considered the Spaniard a threat, especially compared to younger contenders like Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz.
"Because he’s been out there grinding and playing and having success and he understands just what that means, and it would be interesting to hear his thoughts if he even would’ve considered Rafa a threat," he said.
"Compared to the other guys, Tsitsipas or Zverev or Carlos and what they have to offer as younger players so it would be interesting to hear his thoughts. I don’t know if they talk about it much but somebody should ask him like ‘With Rafa out how does that change your thinking or your feelings or does it? Did it even matter?’" he added (at 22:31).
Jimmy Connors' son, Brett, chimed in to suggest that the Serb likely viewed Nadal as a formidable opponent whenever they faced off.
"I’m sure any time he’s on the other side of the net, I’m sure he knows he’s a threat. As far as being ready to go five sets at a Grand Slam, I don’t know if he was yet, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be later in the year," he said (at 22:35).
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have met twice at the Australian Open
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have had 18 Grand Slam meetings, with the Spaniard leading 11-7. The duo have clashed twice at the Australian Open, with the Serb emerging victorious both times.
Their first meeting was in the 2012 Australian Open final, where Djokovic defended his title, beating the 22-time Grand Slam champion 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-5. The thrilling battle lasted five hours and 53 minutes, marking the longest Major final in history.
The Serb also triumphed in the 2019 Australian Open final, securing a dominant 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 victory over Nadal to clinch the seventh of his 10 titles at Melbourne Park.