[ad_1]
Novak Djokovic is currently campaigning for the first pure players union since 1972. Image: keystone
Novak Djokovic instigates revolution – Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal criticize harshly
Novak Djokovic founds a players’ union with two colleagues and is therefore on a confrontational course: with colleagues, women, the four Grand Slam tournaments, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
The fronts are hardened, the pressure on the New York tennis bubble is unbearable. It is a conflict that has been raging for two years and that divides the tennis family. It’s mainly about the future of the sport, but probably also about personal resentment.
On one side is Novak Djokovic, who asks for nothing more than a revolution. If the Serbs have their way, the interests of the players of the association of tennis professionals, the ATP, are under-represented. Now he and two of his allies, Canadian Vasek Pospisil and American John Isner, have founded a union, the Professional Tennis Players Association.
Djokovic is therefore on the way to face anyone who has something to say in this sport. With the ATP, the WTA (counterpart of the women’s circuit), the ITF international tennis association, the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. They responded with a joint communication to the announcement and supported the ATP in a demonstrative way in the power struggle with Djokovic and called for unity. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who previously sat with Djokovic on the twelve-member ATP player council, also spoke out against the plans.
Djokovic criticizes crisis management
Djokovic has criticized the ATP structures for years. It is managed by the Board of Directors. The committee consists of seven members: the president and three tournament representatives and three player representatives who are appointed by the players council.
Its decisions are only of an advisory nature to the representatives of the players. The Board of Directors has been chaired by Andrea Gaudenzi since the beginning of the year. When the Italian learned that the union had been founded, he asked Djokovic, Pospisil and Isner to resign from their positions as player councils.
A request that was followed by Pospisil, Isner and President Djokovic. The Serbian won the Cincinnati Masters tournament, which moved to New York on Saturday, with 1: 6, 6: 3, 6: 4 in the final against Milos Raonic. Previously, a letter for indiscretions was made public in which Djokovic gives the reasons for his action. In it, he expresses, among other things, dissatisfaction with the crisis management during the corona pandemic. The players council was not consulted enough. The union should give more weight to the interests of the players.
He goes to court: Djokovic remains undefeated in 2020. Image: keystone
Players would have to demonstrate unity. But apparently a deep gap cuts through men’s tennis. How tough the fronts are shows the reaction of the remaining members of the players council, who speak out against Djokovic’s plans. The Djokovic camp previously invited players to join the union. What should happen next is open. Sergei Stachowski, who himself will be on the players’ council until summer 2019, says: “That raises questions. Not a single one is answered. ”And the Federer and Nadal player councils publicly point to these shortcomings.
The players council publishes the following questionnaire:
- The document relies on the ATP to continue organizing the operations of the game. That’s impossible. What happens if the tournament organizers take a stand against us?
- Why don’t we have an accurate, analytical, and detailed overview of the next steps? What are the best, average and worst earnings predictions?
- Can you give us a clear list of the additional rights this union grants us? What additional leverage do we have? What is the contingency plan to keep us safe?
- If the purpose of the union is to represent all the players, why are not so many players included? Why didn’t even the players council ask about it?
- What about ATP membership, pensions, insurance and provisions?
- Who are the people who advise you? We assume this will lead to legal action. Who pays the costs?
- Who is responsible for the consequences for both our careers and our income?
Nadal’s public criticism of Djokovic’s approach
The letter is signed by six of the remaining athletes on the players council: Kevin Anderson, Jürgen Melzer, Sam Querrey, Bruno Soares, and Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The Spanish specifies: “It is time for unity, not for separation. All of us, players, tournaments and associations, have to work together. “Separation and disagreement” are definitely not the solution, “writes the Spaniard. Moving forward is a danger to their livelihoods.
Djokovic was also upset about the women’s tour. Federer, Nadal and Andy Murray have spoken in favor of a joint organization for men and women.
Djokovic’s union is said to consist of nine elected representatives and is led by two co-chairs. In addition to Djokovic, of course, Canadian Vasek Pospisil is initially scheduled for the co-presidium.
The union would be financed by dues, the amount of which is based on the ranking in world rankings and should be between $ 75 and $ 1,500. This could generate $ 317,500. A calculation that can only work if the project is approved. In view of the violent reactions, this is highly doubtful.
