It has been confirmed that Novak Djokovic has reached a deadlock with the ATP after his nomination to rejoin the Players Council has been blocked by a rule change that was passed on Tuesday.
Reports had been circulating that the world No.1 wanted to go back to the council which he was a president of until August when he resigned to set up his own organisation. The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) is an independent body that campaigns for players to have a greater say when it comes to decision making. Djokovic was on the list of players for the upcoming council elections but has confirmed that it was because he was nominated by others. Vasek Pospisil, who is the co-founder of the PTPA, was also on the list.
“I have been nominated by players and that’s how it works,” Djokovic said following his loss to Daniil Medvedev.
“I have not proactively run for the council but me and Vasek has been nominated by a large group of players. For me, that’s a great sign and I feel responsible and honoured to be able to represent players.”
Although hopes of Djokovic returning back to the council, whose members include both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, have been ended. It has emerged that earlier this week the ATP have voted for a rule that says active players can’t be a member of the council if they belong to another organisation. Something Djokovic has said he was not informed about until the rule got the green light.
“I do not see conflict of any kind in being part of the PTPA and the ATP Council. I didn’t see this back in August when the PTPA was founded and I don’t see it now. That is why I accepted the nomination,” he said.
“I have not been approached by anybody from the ATP on this matter.”
The development is the biggest sign yet that the chances of the PTPA and ATP reaching an agreement of some sort is off the cards. In recent months there had been talks between the two. When Djokovic launched the association the ATP Council issued a statement urging their peers not to join. Kevin Anderson, who is the current president, has previously voiced his opposition to a member of the PTPA joining the council.
Nevertheless, a defiant Djokovic is sticking by his guns by arguing that there is ‘discontent’ among players on the Tour, especially those with lower rankings. He goes on to say that there are conflicts of interest within the ATP due to its own structure.
“I see there is a lot of misconception about what the PTPA stands for. I’ve said many times before it was founded because there are no organisations right now and in the history of tennis there was representing players’ rights 100 percent,” Djokovic argues.
“We are part of the ATP which is 50 percent players and 50 percent tournaments. The majority of the time we have a conflict of interest. This is why a large amount of players has signed a document to be part of the PTPA. Expressing their discontent with how the system works, especially for the lower ranked players.”
After previously expressing his desire for the PTPA to be part of the ATP, Djokovic admits that he is left looking for alternative avenues. Although the Serbian didn’t elaborate on what they may be.
“This rule is a strong message from the ATP that they don’t want the PTPA at all or any player involved. It’s very clear.” He said.
“It’s unfortunate to see the ATP position is such as the rule they have voted on.‘
“Now we know where we stand and now we have to consider other strategic positions, and our next move in a different way.”
There is yet to be any comment from the ATP or its council regarding the rule change making Djokovic ineligible for the election.
