Novak Djokovic makes shock quit announcement ahead | Sports News

Novak Djokovic has revealed his option to utterly sever ties with the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), the gamers’ group he helped set up six years in the past.

The Serbian star’s departure follows the PTPA’s public marketing campaign to spice up participant affect whereas diminishing the authority of tennis’s ruling organizations.

Djokovic created the union with close pal Vasek Pospisil after stepping down from the ATP Player Council, however has grow to be disenchanted with the PTPA’s current course and chosen to finish all involvement.

He posted on social media Sunday night: “After careful consideration, I have decided to step away completely from the Professional Tennis Players Association.

“This determination comes after ongoing issues concerning transparency, governance, and the way in which my voice and image have been represented.

“I am proud of the vision that Vasek and I shared when founding the PTPA, giving players a stronger, independent voice – but it has become clear that my values and approach are no longer aligned with the current direction of the organisation.

“I’ll proceed to deal with 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 best as they transfer ahead, however for me, this chapter is now closed.”

Djokovic, still chasing a historic 25th Grand Slam title, is set to make his comeback this month as the Australian Open – the opening major of 2025 – kicks off on January 18. Prior to that showdown, he’ll compete in Adelaide, which gets underway a week earlier on January 12.

This news emerges following the PTPA’s legal challenge against tennis authorities launched last March. The organization announced it would pursue litigation against the ATP, WTA, International Tennis Federation and International Tennis Integrity Agency.

These governing bodies faced allegations of “systemic abuse, anti-competitive practices, and a blatant disregard for participant welfare”.

Come September, the four Grand Slam tournaments were also dragged into the legal battle. Yet by November, court documents filed in the United States Southern District Court in New York revealed that Tennis Australia, the Australian Open’s organizer, was close to reaching an agreement with the PTPA, with “substantive and productive bilateral settlement discussions” underway.

PTPA executive director Ahmad Nassar explained to BBC Sport last March: “The aim is to not litigate this to the tip. We are completely ready to do this, however that is not what we truly need or need. What we wish is to get all people to the desk to reform the game the way in which that many of them have already spoken about.”

In the same month, Djokovic confessed: “This is a basic lawsuit, so attorneys to attorneys, kind of state of affairs. So, to be fairly frank with you, there are issues that I agree with within the lawsuit after which there are additionally issues that I do not agree with.

“And I found that maybe some wording was quite strong in there, but I guess the legal team knows what they are doing and what kind of terminology they’re supposed to use in order to get the right effect.

“I’ve by no means been a fan of division in our sport however I’ve at all times fought for higher illustration and affect of and positioning of the gamers globally in our sport, which I believe remains to be not the place I believe it must be.”