Novak Djokovic concerned about future of lower-ranked tennis players


Novak Djokovic concerned about future of lower-ranked tennis players

Novak Djokovic recently sealed a record-equaling sixth year-end no. 1 ranking, putting him level with Pete Sampras. The Serb will be competing at the 2020 Nitto ATP Finals, one of the top contenders for the title. He is chasing a record-equaling sixth title here to put him on par with Roger Federer for most ATP Finals titles.

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In a press conference before the event, Djokovic talked about how the coronavirus pandemic has affected the tennis ecosystem. He was especially scared about the fate of the lower-ranked players, who are losing out on tournaments.

Very few Futures-level tournaments after COVID-19

Novak Djokovic placed second at the French Open, losing in straight sets to Rafael Nadal.

The world no. 1 was grateful that players like him were able to compete again after a pandemic-struck 2020 schedule. He was worried that the 2021 season would be equally unpredictable, which would affect the upcoming players a lot. Having talked to those affected, he said that they were struggling as no tournaments were being held at their level.

“I think for tennis it’s great that we actually have an opportunity to compete at the biggest tournaments in the world or at least most of them since the restart of the season. But it is troubling to hear and to see that on the Futures level, on the first level of the professional tour, there are really very few tournaments and the biggest group of professional players on the rankings is actually there,” he said.

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“I’ve spoken to a lot of players that are ranked 500 and lower and they are asking for any help to provide tournaments for them,” he continued.

Djokovic has a brilliant 39-3 record in 2020 and won four titles, including the Australian Open and two Masters. He will be looking to cap off his remarkable season with a record-equaling sixth ATP Finals title in London.

Novak Djokovic is the mastermind behind the PTPA

The Serb is also a five-time winner of the ATP Finals, looking to take his sixth this year.

Djokovic’s philosophy is propagating the importance of communication among tennis stakeholders. In the process, the sport would improve and players would have a more streamlined experience playing on tour.

In that regard, he was one of the driving forces of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA). The PTPA is an upcoming association for tennis players, focused on the players themselves and working independently of the ATP and WTA.

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While many players have voiced their opinions against the new association, it has received support from some corners. Djokovic and Canadian Vasek Pospisil will be co-presidents of the PTPA when it is legally sanctioned. Additionally, players like Milos Raonic and Andy Roddick have also given their support to the initiative.

Djokovic’s main aim with the PTPA was to make players’ voices heard, irrespective of their ranking or level. He said, “PTPA’s goal will be trying to work with all governing bodies and sides involved in men’s and women’s tennis to understand how players can be benefiting more from this system and having more opportunities and jobs and extending that list of players who are actually living from tennis because right now we have only about 200 players that actually can make a living from tennis.”

Also read: Nitto ATP Finals 2020: Novak Djokovic vs Diego Schwartzman Preview, Head-to-Head and Prediction