Jimmy Connors recently reflected on the retirement of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, and the future of the aging Novak Djokovic. According to Connors, the ongoing transition in men’s tennis translates to “pain” for enthusiasts of the sport. However, the 72-year-old stated that fans have to start accepting the reality, and younger players now need to step up and start proving themselves.
Federer’s career came to a tearful end at the 2022 Laver Cup. Earlier this year, Murray also bid farewell to the sport, with the Brit’s last outing coming in doubles at the Paris Olympics. Nadal is also set to follow in their footsteps. The Spaniard has confirmed that the 2024 Davis Cup Finals will mark the end of his career.
This will leave Djokovic as the sole remaining active member of the famed Big Four. However, the Serb is 37 and has shown signs of decline this year. He is yet to win a title, and except for his Olympic gold medal, he has been largely overshadowed by young rivals Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Recently, former World No. 1 and eight-time Grand Slam singles champion Jimmy Connors assessed the inevitable end of the Big Four, and how fans have to accept the situation for what it is. Connors’ assessment came during an episode of the Advantage Connors podcast.
“Everybody is feeling the pain of Federer leaving, now Rafa leaving, Murray, and Djoker’s no spring chicken either. Facts are facts. That’s the end of an era,” Connors said. (at 8:42)
The 72-year-old went on to opine that fans would now be desperate for Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev and other young players to fill the void left by the stalwarts. Connors concluded by saying that such players now need to give enthusiasts a reason to give them a similar kind of adulation that the Big Four received.
“Now they’re trying to grab on to somebody else and these young kids coming up. What’s going to be interesting is they’re going to have to give the fans something to hold on to, grab on to. They’re not going to say, ‘well, those guys are gone. We’re here’. They’re going to have to have a reason to go for Sinner or Alcaraz or Medvedev, these young guys. What’s going to allow those fans to say, ‘that’s the next guy, that’s the next generation, that’s who I’m rooting for’?” Connors concluded.
Djokovic himself recently admitted that he feels overwhelmed at the thought of being the only remaining active member of the Big Four from next year.
Novak Djokovic laid bare his emotions at Roger Federer and Andy Murray’s retirement, and the imminent departure of Rafael Nadal
Following his 2024 Rolex Shanghai Masters quarterfinal win over Jakub Mensik, Novak Djokovic spoke up about his thoughts on members of the Big Four calling time on their respective tennis careers. Djokovic’s admission came shortly after Rafael Nadal had announced his retirement and the Serb had shared a heartfelt tribute to the Spaniard on Instagram.
“Well, I posted, you saw it on instagram. I meant every word. He’s been my greatest rival. The rivalry I had with him has impacted me the most in my career by far. I mean, we knew that the moment is coming sooner than later. But it’s still a shock. When it came officially, also for Roger a few years ago as well, when he announced retirement.. Andy as well this year.. it’s a bit overwhelming for me to be honest,” Djokovic said.
The Serb maintains that he still has the hunger to go for more Grand Slams and Masters 1000s. However, the former World No. 1 recently withdrew from the upcoming Rolex Paris Masters and is yet to confirm where he will play next.
