It has been reported that Novak Djokovic might be having a change in heart about his future involvement in the ATP Players Council.
Simon Briggs from The Telegraph has reported that the former world No.1 along with Canada’s Vasek Pospisil are in the process of applying to rejoin the council ahead of the elections. Less than six months ago Djokovic quit his role as president in order to set up the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA). An independent body that aims to campaign for players to have more say concerning the decision making in the sport.
The formation of the PTPA triggered a divide in the sport with both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, who are existing members of the council, co-signing a letter urging their peers not to join. Earlier this week at the ATP Finals Nadal questioned the decision to create the association by saying “the idea (of the PTPA) is not different; the approach is completely different.”
If it is proven true that Djokovic is seeking to be elected again, it puts the PTPA into serious doubt. The Serbian has said he hoped that the two bodies can co-exist. Although if he wants to join the council and remain a member of the PTPA, there will be barriers.
“I feel you can’t sit on the council and then the PTPA. It seems like it’s a bit of a contradictory idea. Within the structure and within the council. I’m the first to say it’s not perfect but you have to believe it, you have to give it a chance,” current ATP Council president Kevin Anderson said in October.
According to Briggs, he said it appears that the Djokovic-led Association failed to gain momentum since its launch around the same time as the US Open.
Djokovic’s most recent public comments about the PTPA was last Friday when he said he doesn’t want to split the sport. He also indicated that talks with female players are ongoing which suggest that the association is continuing but it is unclear for how much longer and in what capacity.
“We do not want to have an aggressive approach as has been said. We want players of all levels to be heard and their problems are taken into account, especially since hundreds of Players complain about the current system. We have to see how players can benefit from tennis, to be able to participate more and be able to make a living from that,” the world No.1 said.
“I understand that there is criticism because people wonder if this is the right move or if it is a way to divide tennis. But for us it is not like that, our value and our essence is to improve,” he added.
Djokovic is likely to provide clarity on the matter on Wednesday following his match against Daniil Medvedev at the ATP Finals.
