Novak Djokovic confirmed that the ATP has voted against tennis players being able to belong to two tennis associations at the same time, which will prevent the Serbian from being on the ATP Players Council and the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA, for its acronym in English).
In the last hours it had come to light that the Belgrade tennis player had stood in the elections to be held at the end of the year for the Players Council, just three months after his resignation.
But nevertheless, Djokovic, at a press conference after losing to Daniil Medvedev, announced that the candidacy was not by his will, but that he was nominated by a “great group of tennis players”.
“It's not true that I asked for it. I have been nominated by other players. For me it is a good sign and I feel responsible to be able to represent other players and I see no problem in being in both organizations. That is why I have accepted the nomination, “he said. Djokovic.
“But then last night the ATP voted a rule whereby no active player can be on the Council and in any other organization at the same time “, said.
Djokovic He described this decision as “disappointing” and noted that no one from the ATP consulted him about this measure.
“I have always been transparent and honest with everyone, and I have insisted that legally there is no problem in being part of the Council and the PTPA.”
“I think there is a lot of confusion about what the PTPA stands for and why it was founded. It was created because there is no organization right now or in the history of tennis that represents 100% the rights of the players “, stated Djokovic.
As expressed by the Serbian, ATP is 50% made up of players and the other 50% tournaments, which creates “conflicts of interest”.
“That's why many tennis players signed a document to be part of the PTPA, because there is a lot of dissatisfaction with how the system works now, especially with low-ranking players,” he added.
Djokovic expressed that they want to collaborate with the ATP and that they want to be part of the ecosystem, because it is what “the players deserve”.
“Now with this new rule, they have wanted to send a very clear message that they do not want the PTPA in the system.”
Given this situation, Djokovic assured that now they have to reconsider their situation and plan what your next move will be.