Jimmy Connors makes his feelings known on Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka leading mass withdrawa

Jimmy Connors, the tennis legend known for his fiery personality and outspoken views, has shared his thoughts on the recent wave of big-name withdrawals from major tournaments—and he’s not holding back. Players like Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Aryna Sabalenka have all pulled out of matches lately, and Connors isn’t too happy about it.

According to Connors, this trend of top players withdrawing before or during big tournaments is disappointing, especially for the fans. He understands that injuries and personal reasons can happen, but he believes the sport is being affected when too many of its stars are suddenly missing in action. He feels that fans, who pay for tickets and tune in expecting to see the best, are being let down.

Connors has always been about giving 100% on the court, and he thinks today’s players should be more committed to showing up and giving their all, no matter what. In his view, being a professional means playing through tough situations unless it’s absolutely impossible. He said when he played, you pushed yourself to be there for the crowd, even if you weren’t feeling your best.

While he respects Novak Djokovic’s legendary status and Carlos Alcaraz’s incredible rise in the game, he’s concerned that this pattern sends the wrong message to younger players. He doesn’t want tennis to become a sport where top athletes are constantly skipping events unless they’re perfect physically. As for Aryna Sabalenka, Connors said the women’s game also needs its stars to show up consistently if it wants to keep growing.

Still, he didn’t slam the players personally. He acknowledged that modern tennis is more physical than ever, and it’s a demanding job. But he’s calling for a stronger sense of duty and responsibility to the game and the fans. Connors wants to see players treat every match as important, not just the Grand Slams.

In the end, his message was clear: tennis needs its stars on the court. When big names pull out too often, it hurts the sport’s excitement. Connors hopes the new generation of tennis champions finds a better balance so fans can enjoy the game they love, just like they did when he was playing.