‘There is no reason to join any other organisation,’ Players turn up against Novak Djokovic’s PTPA


‘There is no reason to join any other organisation,’ Players turn up against Novak Djokovic’s PTPA

The ongoing Miami Open 2021 started off on a dull note on the ATP side. One controversy that engulfed the first few days was Vasek Pospisil’s meltdown in the first round of the tournament.

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The incident raised questions about player treatment and ultimately saw various players coming together to offer their support to the Canadian. This also brought together various players who were in support of Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil’s PTPA.

PTPA

PTPA or the Professional Tennis Players Association was started by World No.1 Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil last year. They alleged that players don’t have a say in the decisions taken by the ATP and the tournaments, and so decided to go ahead with a new association to better represent the players on the ATP and WTA Tour.

Players on tour have difference in opinion over the PTPA

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal questioned the PTPA during the ATP Finals 2020.

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“Just because they created this organisation doesn’t mean they help tennis more than other players who believe in the usual structure. If we have experienced positive situations, it is thanks to the involvement of Roger, myself, but also Novak and Andy, because we have always been concerned with asking others what they need,” he said.

“If we compare the earnings of five, six, seven or eight years ago to today, it is clear that we have significantly reduced the gap between the lowest ranked and the best players. We know that we have to continue working on this, but we do not consider that another organisation is necessary.”

Dominic Thiem
Dominic Thiem

Dominic Thiem has also on the ATP’s side when asked about it in London.

He said: “I like what ATP does. Overall, it’s a very good job. So from my perspective there is no reason to join any other organisation, or anything like that.”

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At the US Open, runner-up Alexander Zverev also had a very favourable opinion of Djokovic’s initiative.

“I didn’t sign the paper, but I think it’s a good thing the players want to come together. I think it’s great that we can be more united,” he said.

Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev

“I have to give credit…whether someone signs the paper or not is their decision…but I have to give credit to Novak and Vasek, because a world No 1 has other things to do than take care of bringing the players together or something like that, not in a union, but within an association. In his position, to be honest, he doesn’t need to; he just doesn’t have to. He can relax and do nothing and everything will be fine. But he cares about the other players, which is great I think.”

Canadian Milos Raonic, a semi-finalist at the Rolex Paris Masters, also shared his views at the US Open earlier.

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“I support the PTPA because I have the feeling that certain components of the current structure (ATP) — since I have been on tour — have not necessarily brought the benefits that we wanted,” he said.

Milos Raonic

“I don’t think it’s a fight of any kind…. I think a lot of us are now much more on the same page and we want to be represented in a unified way. There have been things…I have expressed my opinion on some aspects that have happened even during the coronavirus crisis…which has been overwhelming, by our organization. But I am not trying to choose these fights. I think it’s good that we have a unified voice on this.”

On tour, the first Masters 1000 event of the year has started in Miami. The ‘Big 3’ will be missing from the tournament and hence, Daniil Medvedev is the top seed while Stefanos Tsitsipas seeded second.

Watch- Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev, Australian Open 2021 Final

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Also read: “Players wanted to play against Sampras to get a win over him,” says former World No. 1 Andre Agassi