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Novak Djokovic wants to revolutionize tennis with a new players association. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal criticize him harshly. “Bluewin” explains what the discussion among the best players is about.
Almost exactly one year ago, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal returned to the ATP player council as a complete surprise. The two superstars were not satisfied with the developments in tennis and wanted to bring their opinion back. At the beginning of the year, a new ATP management was launched to improve the structures of men’s tennis. The players council agreed unanimously.
Novak Djokovic, who as chairman of the players ‘council has come under increasing criticism in recent months, has now announced that he would like to form a new players’ association. Therefore, he resigned his presidency on the old council. Vasek Pospisil and John Isner, also represented on the council, followed the example of the Serbs.
The new association will be called the “Professional Tennis Players Association” (PTPA). According to a New York Times report, the players were given a document with blueprints and would like to collect signatures for it. “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. .
The world number 1 plans nothing less than a revolution in tennis with the association of new players. “We are one of the few sports in the world that does not have its own player organization, only players,” explains Djokovic in his advance. “That is why the new PTPA became a problem. It was discussed and many players have requested it for a long time. ”
More than 30 players have already joined the PTPA. Djokovic expects most of the top 500 singles and top 200 doubles to join the new players’ association.
Djokovic’s action meets criticism from Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. “The world is going through a difficult and complicated time,” writes the Spanish through Twitter. “It is time for unity and not for division.” The Swiss share this view: “These are uncertain and challenging times. But I think it is very important for us to be united as players. “
Tennis journalist Jon Wertheim published a letter on Saturday, signed by Federer, Nadal, Kevin Anderson, Sam Querrey, Jürgen Melzer and Bruno Soares, in which the players council wants to prevent other tennis professionals from following Djokovic. It would rob the new leadership of the ATP of the opportunity to realize its vision of the sport. “An association of new players and the ATP cannot coexist,” say the members of the players’ council.
In their letter, the players council complains that the PTPA raises a lot more questions than it answers: “What if the tournaments turn against us? Why don’t we know what the exact plan of this new players association is and what’s next? What is it supposed to bring to players anyway? And how are players protected if things go wrong? “
Above all, Federer, Nadal and company seem to be annoyed by the fact that the players council was not included when it was decided to break new ground: “If the purpose is to represent the interests of all the players, why did many players get it? ? not included? Why was the player council not even asked? “
The players council is not against a new concept to renew the structures of tennis, the letter underlines. But that’s exactly what the new ATP leadership has been working hard on since January. And the players council has adopted a timetable for it. “You are not against the players, but with so little information it is too risky to take this new path.” We are against this proposal because we don’t see how it can really help the players. players. And he puts our lives on the road and our safety in great danger. ”
Meanwhile, Djokovic’s position is: ‘We are not calling for a boycott. Because we are not a union. We didn’t create a parallel organization. “You could argue about the right time, but:” It’s like having a baby, or it’s never the right time or it’s always the right time. “
Djokovic also says that “he would love to have Roger and Rafa on board.” However, it is to be expected that the two superstars of the scene will turn their backs on the management of the ATP and follow the PTPA.
While the US Open in New York is the first Grand Slam tournament since the crown was broken, a power struggle is raging behind the scenes. The last word seems not to have been said in a long time.
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