WIMBLEDON: As Kevin Anderson took to the court to play his opening match at the Wimbledon Championships, he knew what would follow after – more discussions about the turmoil in men’s tennis.
Within the past week, the 10-member player council has seen four people resigned from their role. Jamie Murray, Robin Haase, Dani Vallverdu and Sergiy Stakhovsky have all stepped down. Frustrated with the direction the ATP is going in and divided about who should be selected to represent them on the board. The latest turmoil was triggered by a marathon meeting that took place just three days prior to the grand slam and lasted nearly seven hours.
Anderson was directly involved in those talks. He has been a member of the council for the past seven years and currently serves as the vice-president behind Novak Djokovic. Even for the usually optimistically-speaking South African, he admits that all is not as it should be.
“I still think communication can be better. Obviously, it’s tough.” Anderson said following his first round win over Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
“There’s a lot of information that goes on. I think sometimes management has a difficult time finding a balance between giving players enough information.’
“I feel like they’re sometimes hesitant to give us that information. Sometimes players want maybe too much information. I think we’re still trying to find that balance.”
It is argued by some that a lack of transparency has added fuel to the fire in recent months. With some accusing Djokovic of being the driving force behind the removal of Chris Kermode based on drips and drabs of information leaking from meetings. It is also these leaks that have confirmed a divide. Tasked with the selection of a new player representative for the ATP Board, the council was split at 5-5. Paving way for the board to have a say and hire Weller Evans until the end of the year.
“I think the main thing is really not to get too caught up in some of the negative stuff. I’m really proud of everything we’ve been able to achieve.” Anderson states.
“I think tennis as a global sport has continued to reach new heights. Player prize money has gone up a lot. I think more guys are able to make living playing tennis.”
Stan Wawrinka is not a member of the council but has been a vocal critic of the decision to replace Kermode. Unlike Anderson, the three-time grand slam champion has a more pessimistic outlook when it comes to what the future has in store for the governing body and player council.
“I think it’s been the last few months going in every direction. A lot of people are pulling out of the council. A lot of other people are getting fired.” Wawrinka commented.
“It’s going to be interesting, hopefully in a positive way, but I doubt it. We’ll see what is going to happen in the next few months.”
Feliciano Lopez is in a unique position. Not only is he a player, but he is also the tournament director of the Madrid Open. A Masters 1000 event and the biggest tournament to take place in Spain. Giving his assessment, the Spaniard didn’t mince his words when it came to the current status of events.
“There is many things going on right now in the ATP as an organization,” Lopez said after his victory over Marcos Giron Wimbledon.
“There is probably many changes coming up. I cannot tell you obviously in detail, but everything is falling apart.
“I don’t know why, but I don’t know what’s going on.
“I think we still have time, so by the end of the year, we will hopefully, you know, have everything sorted out and we will have the player council again and everything’s gonna be hopefully in the right direction again.
“For the moment, it’s kind of a mess. This is all I can tell you.”
Even the beauty of Wimbledon has failed to hide the disarray that is continuing to haunt men’s tennis.
