Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic announced on Sunday (4) that he was leaving the PTPA (Professional Tennis Players Association), which he co-founded in 2020, citing “concerns about the transparency and governance” of the organization.
The PTPA, founded by the current world number 4 and the Canadian Vasek Pospisil, took legal action against the governing bodies of tennis, denouncing a “corrupt, illegal and abusive system” and pointing in particular to “an unsustainable calendar”, with tournaments scheduled in eleven of the twelve months of the year.
“After careful consideration, I have decided to completely distance myself from the PTPA. This decision stems from ongoing concerns about transparency, governance and the way my voice and image have been represented,” explained the Serbian on his X account.
“I am proud of the vision Vasek and I shared in founding the PTPA, to give players a stronger, more independent voice, but it has become clear that my values and perspective are no longer aligned with the organization’s current board of directors,” the 38-year-old added.
“I will continue to focus on my tennis, my family and my contribution to the sport in a way that reflects my principles and integrity. I wish the players and everyone involved the best in their future endeavors, but for me this chapter is closed,” concluded the Serbian.
Djokovic is expected to take part in the ATP 250 tournament in Adelaide, from January 12 to 17, in preparation for the Australian Open, which will take place between January 18 and February 1.
In March 2025, the PTPA, alongside around twenty players, initiated legal proceedings in the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union against the ATP and the WTA, which govern the men’s and women’s circuits respectively, against the ITF (International Tennis Federation) and against the ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency).
These institutions are considered “corrupt” by the plaintiffs, who claim they “systematically mistreated, silenced and exploited actors to increase their profits through monopolistic control.”
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