Novak Djokovic legacy prevented by turbulent final years – Jimmy Connors

Former eight-time Grand Slam champion Jimmy Connors believes Novak Djokovic’s legacy has been prevented by turbulent final years. Djokovic hasn’t been able to play in all the tournaments on the tour due to his unvaccinated status.

Djokovic was controversially deported from Australia ahead of the Happy Slam in 2022 and then could not take part in the US-based tournaments. The Serbian also could not take part in the US Open 2022 and then missed the majority of the hard-court swing in 2023 due to the aforementioned reason.

Furthermore, Djokovic could not play recently due to an elbow injury and he suffered a quarterfinal loss against Holger Rune in the Italian Open. However, it is well known that Djokovic will enter Roland Garros as one of the biggest favorites in the absence of Rafael Nadal. Djokovic has won 22 Grand Slam titles in his glittering career and he will be chasing his record-breaking 23rd crown in Paris.

In his podcast Advantage Connors, Jimmy said, ‘‘I’m rooting for Djoker and here’s why. I think he’s been screwed the last couple of years, big time. I’m rooting for him to come through, he’s already proven what he is, he’s got 22 Grand Slams. He’s already proven how great he is and all that, but he has been kept from even extending that legacy.’’

Connors feels Djokovic might play for one more season on the tour because of his injury concerns.

‘‘I don’t know how long he’s going to play. He may play this year and one more year and then say, ‘I’m done’. You don’t know. I’m rooting for him to get through this year and have success because of that.’’

Djokovic is still fit as a fiddle and there is no doubt that he has got a lot of fuel left in his tank.

The Serbian will take on America’s Aleksandar Kovacevic in the first round of Roland Garros on Sunday.