Back in 2020, the world of tennis witnessed the birth of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), co-founded by the renowned Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic alongside Canadian player Vasek Pospisil. Interestingly, while the PTPA is gearing up for a legal battle, Djokovic isn’t personally listed among the 12 players pursuing the case.
Speaking during the Miami Open, Djokovic explained his decision to abstain from signing. “I felt it was time for other players to take the lead. I’ve had my fair share of involvement in the politics of the sport,” he candidly remarked.
“This lawsuit is a classic legal case—it’s really about the lawyers having their say. Honestly, there are points in it I agree with, but there are also aspects I’m not entirely on board with,” he continued. Djokovic noted that some of the legal language felt a bit strong to him, yet expressed confidence in the legal team’s strategy and choice of words to drive the intended impact.
Despite the actions of his union, Djokovic makes it clear he aims to avoid creating a divide within the tennis community. “I’ve never been supportive of division in tennis. My fight has always been for better player representation and influence. I believe the players deserve a stronger presence in the sport worldwide, and we’re not quite there yet,” he shared. His concerns extend beyond prize money, touching on several other issues highlighted in the lawsuit.
In response, both the ATP and WTA have stood by their achievements, particularly in terms of player compensation and security. Meanwhile, world number three, Carlos Alcaraz, voiced his reluctance to back the legal move, citing a lack of prior information that his name would be included in the lawsuit.
