Novak Djokovic’s PTPA gets into a feud with WTA and ATP, Wimbledon’s backing further fuels the dispute
Wimbledon is ready to talk to PTPA before the organization of the event this year.
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Paula Bados, Ons Jabeur and Novak Djokovic are members of the Executive Committtee of the PTPA
Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil backed player’s organization Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has made all the right headlines in recent times. Recently, the players’ union announced members of its Executive Member Committee and Guiding Priciples. Latest news arrived that Wimbledon is going to consult with PTPA on important matters before this year’s event.
However, the old guards, both ATP and WTA did not like this news one bit. When ATP was being formed ATP Chairman Andrea Guadenzi had criticized this organization, and called for unity.
“You have what other athletes in other sports would strive for — a seat at the boardroom table. That is what players fought for in the creation of the ATP Tour…It makes no sense why you would be better served by shifting your role from the inside to the outside of the governance structure,” he had said at that time.
However, it did not stop many top-ranked male and female tennis players from joining it. Now, the WTA has also commented on recent developments. Eminent sports journalist C. Kristjánsdóttir shared this news on social media.
“All decisions are made with the players and tournaments together, being equally represented. Players are at the table where the decision-making takes place and their voice is well represented in all decisions that the WTA makes. For any organization to be successful, we do believe it has to be willing to listen to its members and the various perspectives of such members that make up the organization,” the organization told media.
Can PTPA revolutionize tennis sport?
The PTPA is similar to a player’s union. It represents the top 500 singles and top 200 doubles players according to the ATP and WTA rankings. This organization was formed in 2019 with the sole motivation to negotitate better terms for the players. In recent times, many top-ranked tennis players have joined this organization. Ons Jabeur, Paula Badosa, Hubert Hurkacz, John Isner, Saisai Zheng, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, and others, are members of the Executive Committee.
The need for such an association came because players became frustrated with the functioning of the ATP and WTA. They needed another association which could address the interests of players better. The organization seeks to ease tournament schedules, demand more share in the prize money for the players, and better remuneration and, say, in the organization of the tennis calendar.
“We are all unequivocally committed to representing every player during this incredibly important time in the sport of tennis,” Bethanie Mattek-Sands in her own words informed about the goals of the organization.
However, both ATP and WTA are trying hard to keep their relevance in the eyes of tennis players and the tennis community.
“All decisions are made with the players and tournaments together, being equally represented. Players are at the table where the decision-making takes place and their voice is well represented in all decisions that the WTA makes. For any organization to be successful, we do believe it has to be willing to listen to its members and the various perspectives of such members that make up the organization,” WTA retorted.
These are early times for PTPA but if it can inspire to bring in much-needed reforms in the sport, it will be a great win for the organization.
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Abhar Indorkar
(451 Articles Published)