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The new association will be called the “Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA)”. According to a New York Times report, players have been given a document with blueprints and asked to collect signatures. “The objective of the PTPA is not to replace the ATP, but to provide the players with an autonomous structure, independent from the ATP, and to be the direct contact person for the players,” says the New York Times in the document.
Therefore, Djokovic has resigned from his position as president of the ATP Players Council. Vasek Pospisil of Canada, who are also represented on the council, and American John Isner followed the lead of the Serbian who was the first title contender at the US Open due to the rejection of defending champion Rafael Nadal of Spain and the lack of the superstar Swiss Roger Federer. it is.
Straka is amazed
The ATP is not happy with Djokovic’s plan. “We are convinced that it does not make sense to do something like this, because ATP players are represented by the structure like no other athlete in any other sport,” said Thiem’s manager Herwig Straka, who is himself on the board. of ATP. sits in an APA interview on Saturday.
Players would be more than represented on the ATP. “If you are on a team, you can go on strike and form a union, but you have no other rights. In the ATP, the players are 50 percent part of the organization and contribute 50 percent to all decisions, so it is not entirely understandable, ”added Styrian, 54.
Straka does not know the reasons for the number one wish for a new players association. But he had contact with Austria’s number one, Thiem, in this regard. “I was in contact with Dominic yesterday and we discussed the situation. That is your decision. I just told him in a very neutral way that I wouldn’t understand if you gave up such a good position, ”said the coach.
The mandatory rest gave “time to reflect”
Milos Raonic, who plays Djokovic in the final of the Cincinnati ATP tournament, which is also played in New York, gave an idea of what could prompt players to support the Serb with his plan. “The players had a lot of time to reflect and look at certain things,” said the Canadian, referring to the forced rupture caused by the corona virus. “Many of us have been left in the dark for six months because of our leadership. We were disappointed in many things. “
Pospisil, who also resigned as a board member, provided the reason for his move on Twitter. “It has become clear that as a member of the Players Council in the current structure of the ATP it is very difficult, if not impossible, to have a significant influence on the important decisions of our tour,” said the Canadian.
Straka can only partially understand the criticisms. “We are currently working on a plan for the future, which ironically makes the players even better than they already are.” However, Straka admitted that this could have been communicated a bit better. For resigned players, new players must now join the Players Council by statute. According to Straka, Thiem is not a candidate. With Jürgen Melzer, an Austrian is already on the council.
ATP statement: “Unity time”
The ATP issued an opinion on Djokovic and Co.’s intentions on Saturday night. “The success of the ATP Tour and its growth into one of the leading sports institutions over the past 30 years is based on a truly equal partnership between players and tournaments,” said the ATP. The ATP tour structure offers players “equivalent table seats” for every major decision affecting the tour.
“We recognize the challenges our members face in the current circumstances, but we firmly believe that now is more a time of unity than internal division.” At the same time, they want to continue to work closely with other tennis associations such as Grand Slams, the WTA and the ITF working together “to unlock the real potential of our sport”.
