Novak Djokovic has stepped down as chairman of the players’ union of the ATP. The number one in the world has established its own organization, the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA).
Djokovic, together with the Canadian Vasek Pospisil, came to the conclusion that the interests of tennis players should be better defended. In a post on Instagram, he describes the PTPA as “the first tennis-only organization since 1972”.
Pospisil, the global number 92, had already announced on Saturday that he would leave the ATP players council. “It has proven to be very difficult, if not impossible, to really influence big decisions that are made,” he said.
In his post on Instagram, Djokovic shares a photo of about sixty players who join his union. Top players such as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have not made the switch and regret the step of their competitor.
“Globally, we are in a difficult and complex situation. I think we should remain calm and continue to work together,” wrote Nadal in a response to Twitter. Federer agreed.
Djokovic won the Masters tournament of Cincinnati on Saturday by dealing with Milos Raonic in the final in three sets (1-6, 6-3, 6-4). It was his third title this year and the 80th of his career.
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