By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, January 4, 2026Photo credit score: Rob Newell/CameraSport
Novak Djokovic opens the New Yr bidding farewell to the PTPA.
Grand Slam king Djokovic introduced he has left the Skilled Tennis Gamers Affiliation he co-founded with Vasek Pospisil as a result of “it has grow to be clear that my values and method are now not aligned with the present course of the group.”
In an announcement posted on X, the Serbian celebrity additionally stated he doesn’t recognize how his “voice and picture have been represented” by the PTPA.
After cautious consideration, I’ve determined to step away utterly from the Skilled Tennis Gamers Affiliation. This resolution comes after ongoing issues concerning transparency, governance, and the best way my voice and picture have been represented.
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 4, 2026
I’m pleased with the imaginative and prescient that Vasek and I shared when founding the PTPA, giving gamers a stronger, unbiased voice – however it has grow to be clear that my values and method are now not aligned with the present course of the group.
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 4, 2026
Former No. 1 Djokovic and Pospisil based the Skilled Tennis Gamers Affiliation in an effort to present gamers a higher voice in professional tennis.
Djokovic has lengthy stated the ATP doesn’t actually symbolize participant pursuits, has asserted tennis gamers want an actual union and will earn a higher piece of income from tournaments, notably the Grand Slams.
“I’ve been saying this quite a bit within the media within the final a number of years. However primarily based on some research and analysis that was finished concerning the recognition of the sports activities tennis is definitely the third or fourth hottest sport on the planet,” Djokovic instructed the media in a previous press convention. “I feel we’re sharing the third spot with cricket. Primary is clearly soccer, or soccer, as you name it, [then] basketball, and it was adopted by greater than nearly 2 billion folks.
“And tennis and cricket is 1.3 billion folks, however when it comes to maximizing its potential, and industrial worth, we’re quantity 9, or ten. So, so there’s big [potential]…
“Widespread Floor and a typical course that might be satisfying or win-win for everybody. Downside is that there’s a monopoly in place as effectively that has been there for many years, and it’s arduous to interrupt it, and gamers are oftentimes getting a shorter finish of the stick, and I feel it’s proper for any participant, actually, to talk up on this situation.
“So I feel I’m in the direction of the tip of my profession, and a number of the folks have all the time been counting on me to say one thing about this matter, as I’m doing proper now, and I don’t thoughts speaking about it, however I want to see the present leaders of the respective excursions and the longer term generations which can be going to guide this sport for the following a long time, to take a lead, and to know that these points, these subjects, these topics, are vital for them and for the gamers, and never only for them, but additionally for the opposite gamers that they’re representing.”
I’ll proceed to concentrate on my tennis, my household, and contributing to the game in ways in which mirror my ideas and integrity. I want the gamers and people concerned the perfect as they transfer ahead, however for me, this chapter is now closed.
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 4, 2026
Now, the previous ATP Participant Council President stated his affiliation with the PTPA is closed.
