Novak Djokovic stated this Sunday (4) that he will completely distance himself from the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA)an entity defending players who he helped foundciting concerns about transparency and governance within the organization.
Djokovic, who launched the PTPA alongside Vasek Pospisil in 2020 with the aim of strengthening the representation of , said in a post on the social network X that the decision was also motivated by the way his voice and image were being represented.
“I am proud of the vision that Vasek and I shared in founding the PTPA, giving players a stronger, more independent voice,” he said. “But it was clear that my values and approach are no longer aligned with the current direction of the organization”.
The Serbian declared that he will now focus on football, family and contributing to the sport in ways that reflect his principles and integrity. “I wish the players and everyone involved the best going forward, but for me, this chapter is closed,” he added.
In a statement released late on Sunday, the PTPA stated that the entity was created by the players themselves to ensure a stronger and more transparent voice in professional tennis and that it is open to addressing any issues raised.
“The PTPA is governed by players and operates with open communication, collaborative decisions and regular engagement. We always welcome the opportunity to discuss issues with any athlete and remain available to do so”, says the note.
In March, the PTPA took legal action against tennis’ governing bodies, including the ATP, the WTA, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), accusing them of anti-competitive practices.
In September, the organizers of the four Grand Slam tournaments were included in the lawsuit, which also accuses the entities of failing to protect the well-being of players.
Djokovic, champion of 24 tournaments, stated at the time that he did not agree with all the points of the legal action, while ATP and WTA vehemently rejected the accusations.
In November, the PTPA reported that it was close to an agreement with Tennis Australia, which is preparing for the Australian Open, a tournament that begins in Melbourne on January 18 and opens the Grand Slam season.
