“After Sunday’s successful meeting, we are delighted to announce the start of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA). The first association since 1972 to be exclusively for tennis players,” Djokovic wrote on his Instagram.
According to the Serbian, it is not the intention to set up your own tennis tour, separate from the ATP Tour. “We can and must work with ATP. Time will tell where it will take us.” (read on under Instagram)
Yet there is no unanimity within the tennis world. Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, Djokovic’s biggest competitors for years, have said that they regret the split-off.
“We are in a difficult and complicated situation with the world,” Nadal wrote on Twitter. “I personally believe that in these times we should stay calm and move in the same direction together. It’s time for unity, not separation. These are times when great things can be achieved when the tennis world is united.”
Roger Federer also agreed with the words of the Spaniard. “I agree with you, Rafael Nadal. These are uncertain and challenging times. It is essential that we are united as players and as a sport.”
Other top tennis players such as Andy Murray, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev also criticized the split from Djokovic and co. “I have nothing to do with this, I don’t even know what they are talking about,” said Tsitsipas.
