After Carlos Alcaraz Bit the US Open Dust to Relinquish His 2022 Crown, Jimmy Connors Draws Parallels with His Own Past to Empathize with the ‘Discouraged’ Spaniard

Carlos Alcaraz‘s spirits flew high as he raised the title at Wimbledon. While heading into New York, fully hoping to emulate Roger Federer’s achievement of successfully defending the title at Flushing Meadows, he did not expect Daniil Medvedev to become a roadblock for him. Eventually, Novak Djokovic secured the title without facing the young Spanish gun at the US Open. The heartbreaking run halted just short of glory, compelled an American tennis legend to reminisce and empathize.

Following Carlos Alcaraz’s disappointing exit in the semifinals, five-time US Open champion Jimmy Connors dwelled upon the 20-year-old’s performance. As someone who had suffered seven semi-final defeats at the US Open, two of those being as a defending champion, the 71-year-old could put himself in the young Spaniard’s shoes.

Jimmy Connors’ empathetic praise for Carlos Alcaraz

The Spanish tennis sensation has continued to improve with every tournament. Taking down Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon and not facing any difficult hurdles from any other player, Carlos Alcaraz was swinging swiftly at the US Open.

However, Medvedev delivered when it actually mattered and took down Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals. Jimmy Connors talked about this in his podcast and stated, “For Medvedev to beat Alcaraz, I thought it was a heck of an effort.” Connors commended Medvedev’s resilience in taking down Alcaraz after facing defeat at the hands of the Spaniard in the past.

Since Roger Federer in 2008, no man has defended their singles title at the US Open. Connors stated, “It’s tough to defend that tournament to win back to back and Alcaraz might have gotten to the semis, felt that pressure a little bit.” Nonetheless, Jimmy Connors commended his drive to defend his title till the end.

He also pointed out, “I know, going back, when the feeling that I had sometimes after I wanted to get into the semis doesn’t do it after you’ve won it.” He understood his emotions and stated, “I know he might be a little bit discouraged.” For Connors, the semi-final loss might have hit closer to home than expected.

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The legend spoke from experience. Having had a storied career over decades, Connors faced the disappointments of the game right alongside the highs. He also stumbled at the semi-final stage twice, losing to the eventual winner on both occasions.

Connors’ history at the US Open

Jimmy Connors, along with Pete Sampras and Roger Federer, is one of three men to clinch five singles titles at the US Open. While Connors managed to defend his title once, he suffered defeats in the last four as a defending champion on two occasions to John McEnroe. In 1979, McEnroe beat him in straight sets (6-3, 6-3, 7-5). Five years later, Connors pushed him to five sets, falling 6-3 in the fifth. Hence, his words of “get into the semis doesn’t do it” came from the pain of defeats 44 and 39 years ago.

Disappointment for defending champions at Flushing Meadows is a theme, with Roger Federer being the only man to defend his title since the turn of the century. Akin to Alcaraz and Connors, even the likes of Marin Cilic and Rafael Nadal have seen their title defenses end in the semis. Carlos Alcaraz has time on his side and will look to return to New York to add to his collection.

What did you make of Jimmy Connors’ words?

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