Novak Djokovic said on Sunday he would completely withdraw from the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), the advocacy group he co-founded, citing concerns about transparency and governance within the organization.
Djokovic, who launched the PTPA alongside Vasek Pospisil in 2020 in a bid to boost player representation within the sport, said in an article on X that his latest decision was also driven by how his voice and image had been represented.
“I am proud of the vision that Vasek and I shared when creating the PTPA, to give players a stronger and independent voice,” Djokovic said.
“But it has become clear that my values and approach no longer align with the current direction of the organization. »
The Serb said he would focus on tennis, on his family and on contributing to the sport in a way that reflects his principles and integrity.
“I wish the players and those involved in their progress the best, but for me this chapter is now closed,” he added.
The PTPA said in a statement on Sunday that players had created a body to ensure a stronger, more transparent voice in professional tennis and was open to resolving any issues.
“The PTPA is stakeholder-governed and operates with open communication, collaborative decisions and regular engagement. We always welcome the opportunity to resolve issues with any stakeholder and remain available to do so,” he adds.
The PTPA launched legal action in March against tennis governing bodies including the ATP, WTA, International Tennis Federation and International Tennis Integrity Agency, accusing them of anti-competitive practices.
The organizers of the four Grand Slam events were added to the case in September as part of the lawsuit, which also accused the various governing bodies of failing to protect the welfare of players.
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, said at the time that he did not agree with all elements of the trial, while the ATP and WTA strongly rejected the allegations.
The PTPA said in November it was close to reaching an agreement with Tennis Australia, which is preparing for the Australian Open which begins in Melbourne on January 18 and kicks off the new Grand Slam season.
