Tennis, in check: Novak Djokovic separated from the ATP and will set up his own association

08/29/2020 - 16:47

• Clarín.com
• sports

Novak Djokovic tried on the villain suit when he hosted the Adria Tour amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. And he put it back on in the last hours, when it was leaked that he will leave his position as president of the ATP Players Council to form his own tennis association , the PTPA (Professional Tennis Players Association), which aims to defend the players of the world's Top 500, hit by the health crisis.

"Djokovic and other top players are creating a Players Association . " Thus, with that headline, the news that journalist Ben Rothenberg published in The New York Times impacted tennis, in all its spheres. It is that Djokovic has been president of the Council for four years, which is also made up of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and the information was leaked before the Serb presented his resignation.

Djokovic is not alone in his play: John Isner, the first North American racket, and the Canadian Vasik Pospisil (92nd ATP) will accompany him in this parallel and independent association. "Frustrated by what they see as a lack of influence in the sport of men's tennis, Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil are forming a separatist body to represent the interests of male players - female tennis players will be left out of this new body - and have resigned from their leadership roles on the association's players council, "the US newspaper explained.

In fact, Pospisil, a prominent member of the current Players Council, was the first of them to make it official on their social networks. "It is clear that as a member of the council within the current structure of the ATP it is very difficult, if not impossible. , have the least influence on any major circuit decisions, whatever that may be, "he wrote.

My ATP Tour Player Council Resignation: pic.twitter.com/NlFziU1797

Before the silence of Djokovic, however, who came out to express his position was Nadal. "The world is experiencing a difficult and complicated situation. Personally, I think these are times to be calm and to work together in the same direction. It is time for unity, not for separation, " criticized the Spaniard.

"These are moments when great things can be achieved as long as the world of tennis is united. We all, players, tournaments and governing bodies have to work together. We have a bigger problem and separation and disunity are definitely not the solution." he added on his Twitter account.

The world is living a difficult and complicated situation. I personally believe these are times to be calm and work all of us together in the same direction. It is time for unity, not for separation.

The former world number 1, who will not be present at the US Open due to the coronavirus, was supported by another number 1 who will not participate in the Grand Slam: Roger Federer. "I agree, Rafa. These are uncertain and challenging times, but I believe that it is essential for us to be united as players and as a sport to pave the best way forward," said the Swiss.

I agree @RafaelNadal. These are uncertain and challenging times, but I believe it's critical for us to stand united as players, and as a sport, to pave the best way forward. https://t.co/foAmiLVrdV

Both were thus in accordance with those expressed jointly by the ATP, WTA and ITF, the governing bodies of world tennis, in a statement published this Saturday calling for "unity" to come out "of the crisis" after the pandemic.

"It is our responsibility to ensure that our sport comes out of this crisis with a solid foundation on which we can build. It is a time for even greater collaboration, not divisiveness ; a time to consider and act in the best interest of sport, now and in the future. the future ", they focused.

Furthermore, they stated that they "fully support the ATP in its role of representing the best interests of the players throughout this process."

Djokovic decided to open up from the ATP and form his own association. Reuters photo

"When we work together, we are a stronger sport. Now more than ever we need strong collaboration and relationships. The unprecedented challenge presented by the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our sport and our way of life in ways we could not have imagined. Our thoughts continue to be with all those affected around the world, "they reinforced.

Meanwhile, the word of the current world number 1 is awaited, who maintained his concentration on tennis to win the Cincinnati final this Saturday, by beating Milos Raonic 1-6, 6-3 and 6-4 and obtaining the 80th career title.

MFV