Novak Djokovic Blames Lack of ‘Unity’ After Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek Scheduling Complaints: “They Sign Up for Exhibitions”

Fourth seed Novak Djokovic will meet Marin Cilic in the opening round of the Shanghai Masters.

Novak Djokovic Blames Lack of ‘Unity’ After Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek Scheduling Complaints: “They Sign Up for Exhibitions”

L-R: Iga Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic (Image via X/The Tennis Letter, Carlos Alcaraz 4K, Novak Djokovic)

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Novak Djokovic is also not a fan of the expanded Masters 1000 tournaments. He agrees with those who complain that the tennis calendar has become too congested, leaving not much room for players’ recovery, which in turn could lead to injuries and form issues.

But Djokovic also believes that only complaining to the media won’t solve the problem at all. He suggested that players have to unite and pressure the governing bodies to bring changes that take players’ well-being into consideration.

But then there are exhibitions as well that players are signing up for, so it’s a little bit contradictory. In the end, I can say that the players are not united enough. Players are not participating enough when they should be. So they make the comments and they complain, and then they go away. And then if something is wrong, after a certain amount of time, they come back again.

Novak Djokovic said during the pre-tournament press conference at the Shanghai Masters

The Serb co-founded the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) along with Canada’s Vasek Pospisil. This year, the PTPA made global headlines after they filed a lawsuit against the tennis governing bodies, accusing them of hurting players and systemic player abuse, among other things. During that press conference, Djokovic urged the players to dedicate themselves to understanding the system and not leave it to their agents or team members.

For that to happen, you need the top players, particularly, you know, to sit down, roll up their sleeves, and really care a bit more about participating in understanding all of the hot topic, I would say.

Novak Djokovic added

Women’s World No.2 Iga Swiatek called the mandatory WTA 1000 events “crazy” during the China Open. The Shanghai Masters is underway, but Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from it due to his ankle injury, and he, like Swiatek, has advocated for skipping the events that fall under the mandatory category, calling the schedule “really tight“.

Swiatek lost to Emma Navarro in the fourth round in Beijing and is all set to make her debut at the Wuhan Open. Alcaraz clinched his maiden Japan Open title by beating Taylor Fritz.

Novak Djokovic on whether he will play the ATP Finals

Novak Djokovic will lock horns with Marin Cilic to start his campaign at the Shanghai Masters. Although it was his last tournament of the 2024 season, the 38-year-old will be playing at least one more tournament this season.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (via Punto de Break)

It’s the first edition of the Hellenic Championship, an ATP 250 tournament in Athens, scheduled to start on November 2. But his participation at the ATP Finals is uncertain. Djokovic last won the year-end championship in 2023 by defeating World No.2 Jannik Sinner.

I don’t make plans long-term anymore. I’ve said that, I said that in New York. So after Shanghai, the only tournament I know I’m going to play is the one in Athens, and then let’s see if I play Turin or not, I’m not sure yet.

Novak Djokovic said during the pre-tournament press conference in Shanghai

Djokovic is chasing his record-extending 41st Masters 1000 title in Shanghai, where last year, he suffered a straight-set defeat to Jannik Sinner. He is projected to face the four-time Grand Slam champion in the semifinal at the ongoing event.

The Shanghai Masters is Djokovic’s first tournament since the US Open, where he lost in the semifinals in straight sets to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz. So far this season, the 24-time Grand Slam champion lifted only the ATP 250 Geneva Open by beating Hubert Hurkacz. The last Big Title he clinched was the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal.

Also read: Jannik Sinner Gives his Take on the Debate Surrounding Increasingly Packed Tennis Schedule