[ad_1]
Novak Djokovic (Getty Images)
Novak Djokovic he shrugged off the worries of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer and announced the formation of a new association of professional male tennis players that promises to put him on a collision course with his two elite rivals.
Nadal and Federer called for “unity, not separation” after reports that their longtime rival headed a separatist union of tennis professionals.
But after a meeting between the players at the end of the Western & Southern Open in New York, where Nadal and Federer were absent, Djokovic said the new group was launched.
“After today’s successful meeting, we are pleased to announce the start of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA).” wrote on Instagram, posting a photo of several dozen players gathered on a tennis court in Flushing Meadows, where the US Open begins on Monday.
“The first association of tennis players since 1972”, he wrote.
Djokovic had acknowledged after his victory over Milos Raonic in Saturday’s ATP final that the group was a work in progress.
“We don’t have all the answers right now. We are just trying to get an idea of how many players really want to join this initiative. Then we will go from there,” he said.
He said there was no minimum or maximum membership, but that he was focusing on reaching the top 500 players in singles and the top 200 in doubles.
“We hope we can get most of those players. We have to start somewhere,” he said.
He said the new organization and the ATP “can coexist and should coexist at first.
“Now where that will take us, time will tell.”
World number two Nadal pleaded with Djokovic to reconsider a getaway.
“The world is experiencing a difficult and complicated situation. Personally, I believe that these are times to be calm and to work all together in the same direction. It is time for unity, not for separation.” tweeted the 19-time major winner.
“These are moments when great things can be achieved as long as the tennis world is united.
“All of us, players, tournaments and governing bodies, have to work together. We have a bigger problem and separation and disunity is definitely not the solution.”
20 Slam winner Federer quickly added his support for Nadal.
“I agree @RafaelNadal” Federer tweeted. “These are uncertain and challenging times, but I think it is essential for us to be united as players and as a sport to pave the best way forward.”
Djokovic said he accepted the position of his “Big Three” rivals but disagrees.
“Of course I would love to have Roger and Rafa on board. Of course I would love to have all the players on board,” said Djokovic.
“But I get it. I really understand that some of them have different opinions and they don’t think the time is right. Once again, I think the time is right.”
Canadian world number 92 Vasek Pospisil announced on Friday that he would resign from the Players Council, saying the position did not provide any chance to influence circuit decisions.
An ATP statement read: “We recognize the challenges our members face in the current circumstances, yet we firmly believe that now is the time for unity, rather than internal division.”
Djokovic hoped to ease the worries of the tour.
“They believe that the ATP cannot coexist with the association. I have to respectfully disagree,” he said. “Legally we are 100% safe and we can form the players association.
“This is not a union. This is a players association. So we are not asking for boycotts. We are not forming side tours.”
[ad_2]
