Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam Champion, announced that he is completely stepping away from the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), an organization he co-founded with Vasek Pospisil in 2020. In a statement posted on social media platform X, the Serbian Star cited ongoing concerns about transparency, governance, and the representation of his voice and image as key reasons for his departure.
The PTPA was established during the 2020 U.S. Open with the aim of providing an independent voice for professional tennis players, who operate as individual contractors in the sport. Djokovic and Pospisil envisioned it as a platform to advocate for better representation, potentially evolving into a full union capable of negotiating collective bargaining agreements similar to those in team sports.
Tensions escalated when the PTPA filed a class-action antitrust lawsuit in March 2025 against the ATP and WTA tours, the International Tennis Federation, and the International Tennis Integrity Agency, later adding the four Grand Slam tournaments as defendants. The suit alleged anti-competitive practices, capped prize money, and insufficient regard for player welfare, though Djokovic was not named as a plaintiff and had previously expressed disagreement with certain aspects of the claims.
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In his announcement, Djokovic expressed pride in the original vision shared with Pospisil but emphasized that his personal values and approach no longer align with the organization's current trajectory. He noted frustration over how his involvement has been portrayed, particularly in light of the more confrontational direction the PTPA has taken under its leadership.
Moving forward, the 38-year-old stated his intention to prioritize his on-court performance, family, and contributions to tennis in ways consistent with his principles and integrity. He extended well wishes to the players and those involved with the PTPA, declaring this chapter definitively closed as he prepares for the upcoming Australian Open.
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