Tennis great Novak Djokovic has left the players’ union he co-founded, citing “ongoing concerns regarding transparency, governance, and the way my voice and image have been represented.”
The 24-time Grand Slam champion announced his parting from the Professional Tennis Players Association through a series of posts on X on Sunday.
Djokovic helped to launch the PTPA with Canada’s Vasek Pospisil in 2021 but now says “it has become clear that my values and approach are no longer aligned with the current direction of the organization.”
One of Djokovic’s original goals for the PTPA was for it to negotiate collective-bargaining agreements similar to those in team sports, but that has not yet happened in a sport where players are essentially independent contractors.
The PTPA filed a class-action lawsuit last March against the men’s and women’s professional tours, the International Tennis Federation and the sport’s integrity agency, claiming “systemic abuse, anti-competitive practices, and a blatant disregard for player welfare.” The four major tournaments were later added as defendants.
Djokovic said the union, under the day-to-day direction of Ahmad Nassar, has not gained “a voice at the table where decisions are being made.”
Djokovic, 38, said he will focus on tennis and his family and “contributing to the sport in ways that reflect my principles and integrity.”
“I wish the players and those involved the best as they move forward, but for me, this chapter is now closed,” the Serbian star posted on X.
–Field Level Media
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