PTPA Share Major Statement Following Novak Djokovic’s Departure Over Transparency Issues

Novak Djokovic announced on Sunday (January 5) that he would step completely away from the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), which he co-founded five years ago alongside Vasek Pospisil. The shocking news comes months after the player’s union launched a legal action against the tennis governing bodies.

The PTPA had often demanded fair treatment for players from the tennis organizers. But in March last year, the union became tired of talking and was ready for action. They sued the tennis governing bodies, including the ATP and WTA, while adding the four Grand Slam tournaments to the suit last October.

The association claimed there were anti-competitive rules in the men’s and women’s circuit and that organizers paid no regard to players’ welfare. The ATP and WTA were quick to reject the accusations, defending their position. But Djokovic, PTPA co-founder, declared that he did not agree entirely with the union’s case.

Some players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner opposed the move by the PTPA, claiming that it was not handling the matter in the right manner. The association defended its move but revealed late last year that only the Australian Open was in discussions with them about their claims in the legal suit.

However, following Djokovic’s end of his association with the PTPA, the organisation has revealed that it has been the target of coordinated defamation and witness intimidation because of its ongoing litigation against the tennis governing bodies. In their statement released on X, they added that a federal court has ruled that harassment of players is improper:

Consequently, we have been the target of a coordinated campaign of defamation and witness intimidation through the dissemination of inaccurate and misleading narratives aimed at discrediting the PTPA, its staff, and its work. A federal court has already ruled this type of harassment improper and ordered it to cease. We are working closely with legal counsel, law enforcement and players to evaluate all available options to address the spread of misinformation.

A statement from the PTPA. pic.twitter.com/WIlRInXDur

— Professional Tennis Players Association (@ptpaplayers) January 5, 2026

A few months ago, Grand Slam tournaments ceased discussions with players’ representatives after some top-10 players in the ATP and WTA sent a letter, demanding an increase in prize money and revenue sharing. The chiefs of the major tournaments revealed that they would have to find a solution with the PTPA before continuing discussions with the players.

Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Adelaide International

Novak Djokovic won’t be back on the court on January 12 for the Adelaide International. The Serbian legend isn’t competing at the ATP 250 tournament, where he has won twice previously. He had often opted to play at the Australian Open without a warm-up tournament, but last year and this season, he has had a change of mind.

Last year, he competed at the Brisbane International, where he crashed out in the quarter-finals after losing to Reilly Opelka. Previously, Jack Draper was expected to be the second top-10 player after Djokovic, but he also withdrew from the tournament.

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Jiri Lehecka, Tommy Paul, Francisco Cerundolo, Joao Fonseca, and Tallon Griekspoor are the stars competing. The tournament is expected to end a day before the Australian Open, which begins on January 18.

Djokovic has won the Australian Open ten times in his career but has not been able to reach the final of the last two editions. He lost to Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals in 2024 and to Alexander Zverev in 2025 after retiring due to injury.

Also Read: Fans Make Mockery of PTPA After Novak Djokovic’s Shock Exit – “Goes from Useless to Being Even More Useless”