'The guy is one f***ing great tennis player' - Jimmy Connors lauds Novak Djokovic after Australian Open title

ByDan Quarrell

Updated 06/02/2023 at 10:32 GMT

The plaudits continue to come in for Novak Djokovic after he clinched his 22nd Grand Slam singles title at the 2023 Australian Open with his stunning victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas. Tennis icon Jimmy Connors is the latest big name to lavish praise on the 35-year-old. Speaking on the latest episode of his 'Advantage Connors' podcast, he did not hold back in making his admiration clear.

Tennis legend Jimmy Connors has hailed Novak Djokovic after the 35-year-old clinched his 10th Australian Open title at Melbourne Park and said "the guy is one f***ing great tennis player".

The Serb returned to the top of the world rankings with his latest triumph at Melbourne Park as he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets in the showpiece final on Rod Laver Arena with another hugely impressive victory on the biggest stage.

Djokovic now has 22 Grand Slam singles titles to his name - the same tally as his great rival Rafael Nadal - as he returned to Australia in style to claim the opening major of the new season and hoist himself back atop the ATP rankings.

ATP Monte Carlo

‘Not a great season’ - Djokovic reacts to Monte Carlo loss, as Ruud says 'he's human'

13/04/2024 at 22:26

Connors, speaking on his 'Advantage Connors' podcast with his son Brett, did not hold back at all when he paid tribute to Djokovic and all he has achieved in the game following his latest Grand Slam crown.

"I want to say this, the guy is one f***ing great tennis player, right?" Connors said on the latest episode.

"He is not afraid to go out there and play the game, his game. Win or lose. He is not afraid to put it on the line. He knows he has got a bullseye on his back. Even more now.

"He is not afraid against all these young guys, who had some pretty good tournaments. But he is not afraid of that. He plays the game, he is not afraid to mix it up.

"He is not afraid to take the ball early, he is not afraid to get 20 balls to win a point. He is not afraid to figure out a way to win - and, you know, to me, I like seeing that."

'Novak is a master at motivating himself' - McEnroe on why Djokovic is one of the GOATs

• 'He hit someone in the crowd' - Kyrgios fires back at Tsitsipas over 'clown' dig
• 'Remarkable' Djokovic won Aus Open with 'three cm hamstring tear' reveals Tiley
• Djokovic's game 'undoubtedly most complete on circuit' says Toni Nadal

Adding more thoughts on the interminable debate around the men's tennis GOAT involving Roger Federer, Djokovic and Nadal, Connors demonstrated his immense respect for all three.

"Rivalries are so great," Connors said. "That's why people show up to watch the game, watch the match, and watch the excitement.

"Sometimes you have got to find a reason, find a reason to dig deeper and come out on top and win.

"So what is that? Where do you find that? What do you dig into to go down into your guts? Sometimes you got to find something that just burns you to the ground to come out on top."

- - -

The 2023 Australian Open was live and the French Open will follow on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.co.uk

ATP Monte Carlo

'In a state of shock' - Ruud upsets Djokovic to make Monte Carlo final for first time

13/04/2024 at 19:36

ATP Monte Carlo

‘Tennis at its highest level’ - Tsitsipas downs Sinner to reach another Monte Carlo final

13/04/2024 at 17:00

ATP Monte Carlo

Djokovic breaks Nadal record with 'ugly' De Minaur win, Ruud ready for 'David v Goliath' clash

12/04/2024 at 20:59