Legendary tennis player Jimmy Connors hinted that Novak Djokovic’s time at the court could be coming to an end after the Serb’s surprising 2024 Indian Wells exit.
Djokovic suffered a shock defeat at Indian Wells at the hands of lucky loser Luca Nardi 4-6, 6-3, 3-6 in his first tournament since the 2024 Australian Open 2024 where he lost to Jannik Sinner in the semi-final.
Connors, an eight-time Grand Slam winner, believes that experience can win you but age is something that cannot be defeated.
"Age is something that you can never beat and as much you try to fight it and as much as you try to figure out a way with your diet or with your training or whatever, numbers count in that," said Connors.
"When you're playing guys that are 15 years younger than you, experience is a great thing. The only thing with experience is that by the time you get it, you're too old to do anything with it. It comes to a point where these kids are just young and are willing to do and to stay."
"Djokovic, too, was the same way when he was coming up, playing the players that he had to beat to make his reputation and all that and it's tough."
Remember, despite turning 36, Djokovic dominated the 2023 season where he not only won three Grand Slams — Australian Open, Roland Garros, US Open — and other elusive titles, but he also won them by beating the likes of Daniil Medvedev, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and others.
Earlier, Djokovic pulled out from the 2024 Miami Open as he shifted his focus to preparing for the clay-court season.
The 2024 Miami Open is scheduled from March 20-31, shortly after the conclusion of Indian Wells on Sunday, March 17. Djokovic, who has triumphed in the Miami tournament six times, shares the record with eight-time Grand Slam champion and fellow icon Andre Agassi.