ANovak Djokovic is in top form on the tennis court. On Saturday evening he beat Milos Raonic (Canada) in the final of the Cincinnati Masters with 1: 6, 6: 3, 6: 4. His 22nd victory in the 22nd game of 2020. At the US Open that starts on Monday, he is the absolute top favorite – especially in the absence of his two long-term rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
But even off the court, immediately before the start of the first Grand Slam tournament after a month-long Corona break, there is a lot going on about the world number one. With the establishment of the new players’ union PTPA (Professional Tennis Players Association), which he initiated, he caused a stir. The organization, which allegedly does not see itself in competition with the ATP, wants to give the players more influence and decision-making power.
Djokovic wants to act as president of the PTPA. He is supported by founding members John Isner (USA) and Vasek Pospisil (Canada). The latter announced his immediate resignation from the ATP players ‘council in New York: “With the current structures of the ATP, it is impossible for the players’ council to influence the really important decisions.” Pospisil was the representative of the players between position 51 and 100 in the world rankings.
On Saturday evening, the new union of initially around 50 renegades announced its formation via Twitter. What specific goals it is pursuing initially remained in the dark. However, the PTPA is already encountering a lot of criticism from its own ranks – for example from the organizers of the Grand Slam tournaments, the world association ITF, the women’s organization WTA. Among other things, it is criticized that the organization only represents the men.
The other two tennis superstars had previously spoken out against the formation of a new players’ union. “The world is currently in a difficult situation. Personally, I think that we should go in the same direction together in these times, “said Nadal on Twitter:” It is time for unity, not for division. “
A little later, Federer made a similar statement: “These are uncertain and challenging times. But I believe that it is very important for us to stand together as players. ”In addition, Federer and Nadal, together with the other remaining members of the ATP Players’ Council, wrote to the players.
Dirk Hordorff, Vice President of the German Tennis Federation (DTB) criticized the action on Deutschlandfunk. “Unfortunately, men’s tennis has been divided for some time,” he said. “This division is harmful, especially for the players. Everyone is a soloist, nobody sees the whole. The players are not united. The big players fight each other. ”And not just on the tennis court at the moment.
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