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Number 1 has been precipitated with the formation of a players union. Fronts are hardening on the brink of the ATP Finals in London.
Shunned and misunderstood by ATP: Novak Djokovic says the new players union must now adjust its strategy.
Photo: TNP (Getty Images)
Tennis is going through stormy times. It is not known what the start of the 2021 season in Australia will look like, as the Australian government does not want to allow professionals to enter the country until January, and they have to be quarantined for two weeks. Which means they could start the year straight away with the Australian Open without match practice. In addition to the consequences of the pandemic, the concerns behind the scenes also the players union PTPA co-founded by Novak Djokovic for new turbulence.
On the sidelines of the ATP finals in London, the fronts hardened. Cooperation between the ATP and the union appears to be a long way off. According to Djokovic, the ATP board of directors approved a rule on Tuesday that prohibits active players from being members of the players’ council and of an organization like the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) at the same time. This new passage is directed directly at him and Vasek Pospisil, the two driving forces and co-founders of the PTPA. Because that was exactly what they had strived for: returning to the ATP player council, and that’s after being left alone at the end of August.
“This rule is the clear message from ATP that they do not want PTPA in their system. That is now completely clear, ”Djokovic said late Wednesday after his 3-6, 3-6 loss to Daniil Medvedev. He regrets it, “but now we know where we are.” It sounded like a threat when he added: “Now we have to come up with a different strategy and take a different path.”
Caused astonishment
The fact that Djokovic and Pospisil wanted to be re-elected to the players’ council after they left it at the end of August caused some astonishment. Djokovic, then president of the board, assures that they did not actively seek this return, but were nominated “by a large group of players.” “It’s an honor for us and it says a lot after they practically kicked us out..»
He sees no conflict of interest in being a member of the players council and the PTPA, Djokovic said. There is already a misunderstanding about their union. It was founded because until now there was no players union, as the ATP is a connection between players and tournaments, which often creates tension (which is certainly true). The new union never wanted to fight another organization like ATP, WTA or ITF.
Even if the lofty motives of the PTPA cannot be denied, the ATP not only perceives it around its new leader Andrea Gaudenzi as a superfluous explosive device that is further dismembering professional tennis. Roger Federer is of the same opinion and Rafael Nadal, who once again expressed himself clearly and critically in London. You know my opinion. Just because they founded this organization, they don’t help the other players any more than we do with the current structure that we believe in. “
Nadal continues: “If we compare the tour today with that of five, six, seven or eight years ago in terms of income, the lower ranked players are much better.” Efforts in this direction will continue. “But we believe we don’t have to create a new organization for this to happen.” He trained with Djokovic in London but did not tell him about the union.
“Most of the people around me don’t understand why I waste so much energy on something that distracts me.”
Djokovic presented himself to the Serbian media as a misunderstood benefactor: “Most of the people around me and on my team don’t understand why I waste so much energy on something that distracts me from more important things. But I think my commitment will serve for something bigger. “He also regretted the reports in the international media:” There are political games behind the scenes, but almost nothing is written about them. The only important thing to write is that Novak is a hypocrite. ” . He’s gotten used to it: “It just strengthens my tank and motivates me even more to do the right thing for the sport and the players..»
Djokovic’s sporting situation in London is clearer: after losing to Medvedev, he has to beat Alexander Zverev on Friday to reach the semi-finals.
