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Novak Djokovic, co-founder of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), has clarified why he chose not to participate in the class-action lawsuit filed by the organization against tennis' governing bodies. While Djokovic remains a strong advocate for player rights, he emphasized that his decision was based on strategic and personal reasons, aiming to encourage other players to take the lead.
PTPA's Legal Action Against Tennis Authorities
The PTPA was started by Djokovic and Canadian player Vasek Pospisil, in 2020, that has indeed filed a class-action suit in a court in New York. The suit is aimed at major tennis governing bodies, including the ATP, WTA, ITF, and ITIA. The lawsuit contends that these organizations are colluding to promote anti-competitive practices infringing upon players' rights.
Djokovic: ‘I Didn’t Feel the Need to Sign the Letter’
Despite his pivotal role in establishing the PTPA, Djokovic chose not to be one of the 12 current and former players listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit. Addressing the media during the Miami Open, Djokovic explained:
"In general, I felt I didn’t need to sign the letter because I want other players to step up. I’ve been very active in tennis politics."
Djokovic acknowledged that while he agrees with some aspects of the lawsuit, he expressed reservations about certain details.
"This is a classic lawsuit, so lawyers to lawyers, type of situation. To be quite frank with you, there are things that I agree with in the lawsuit, and then there are also things that I don’t agree with," he said, adding that he found some of the language used in the filing to be quite strong.
Concerns About Division in Tennis
The 24-time Grand Slam champion reiterated his desire to maintain unity in the sport while continuing to push for improved representation and influence for players.
"I’ve never been a fan of division in our sport, but I’ve always fought for better representation and influence of and positioning of the players globally in our sport, which I think is still not where it should be," Djokovic remarked.
Details of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit challenges the ATP and WTA over their prize money formula, ranking system, and the grueling 11-month tennis calendar, which the PTPA claims undermines player welfare. The ATP rejected these allegations, calling the lawsuit an attempt to create “division and distraction,” while the WTA described it as “unfortunate and misguided.”
Mixed Reactions from Players
The lawsuit has drawn mixed responses from the tennis community. World number three Carlos Alcaraz distanced himself from the legal action, expressing surprise that it had been filed. In contrast, Australian star Nick Kyrgios called the move a “special moment” that empowers players to have their voices heard.
What Lies Ahead
As the lawsuit progresses, Djokovic’s decision to step back while allowing others to lead this effort reflects his commitment to fostering a new generation of player advocates. His absence from the plaintiff list does not signal a lack of support for the cause but highlights his intention to encourage broader player involvement in shaping the future of professional tennis.
