Jimmy Connors gives advice to Novak Djokovic for US Open preparation

Overview

• Jimmy Connors has shared some suggestions for Novak Djokovic for his US Open preparation.
• Djokovic has withdrawn from participating in the Canadian Open
• Djokovic will aim for his 25th Grand Slam title

Novak Djokovic is one of the top stars who has withdrawn from participating in the Canadian Open. However, the Serbian is expected to return to action at the Cincinnati Masters, which is scheduled to begin on 7 August 2025. After that, he will compete in the US Open to win his 25th Grand Slam title.

Now, tennis icon Jimmy Connors has shared some advice for Djokovic ahead of the US Open. During an episode of his Advantage Connors podcast with his son Brett, Connors was asked whether skipping the Canadian Open was the right move for star players.

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In response, Connors said: “Yeah, especially if you look at a guy like Djokovic, you know, he’s gotta monitor his time and the effort that he puts in, because he is the older player on the circuit now.”

Novak Djokovic has four US Open titles so far

He continued: “And if he wants to bring his game up and rise to the top when it supposedly is the most meaningful, which would be the US Open, he’s gotta monitor what’s best, but also be able to play some matches too going into the tournament, so you don’t just go in flat. But a lot of the other guys go into the 12 day events, that is a lot of tennis. The only good thing is they’re not three out of five set matches, you know, they’re two out of three.”

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Connors also pointed out the mental and physical strain of playing high-level tennis week after week: “I can see where a lot of the top players that are playing every week and getting to the semis and finals every week — that’s telling on you mentally and physically. I mean, every match should be important, but there’s some results that are your legacy — and that’s Wimbledon and the US Open in my opinion,” Connors said.