Austrian tennis veteran Jurgen Melzer has hit back at Novak Djokovic over comments he made during the ATP Finals about his ineligibility to challenge for a seat on the Players Council.
Djokovic, who was president of the council until this summer, says he had been excluded from the elections due to a recent change in the rules. The world No.1 stepped down from his position to form the Professional Tennis Players Association. A separate body that campaigns for players to have a greater say when it comes to decision making. Although the PTPA has been accused of trying to divide the sport with the council previously urging their peers to not join.
Speaking to reporters from London last month, the 17-time Grand Slam winner says that his involvement in the union meant that he was not allowed to seek re-election following a new rule change that was recently voted on. The rule prohibits a player from joining if they are a member of another organisation.
“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,” Djokovic commented.
“I have not been approached by anybody from the ATP on this matter.”|
Djokovic has said he didn’t personally enter the race to rejoin the ATP Council and only entered after he was nominated by fellow players. Vasek Pospisil, who is the co-founder of the PTPA, was also in the same situation.
Responding to the claims, Melzer has branded them as incorrect by saying that the rule has actually been in place for more than a decade. The 39-year-old is a current member of the council.
“The PTPA is a completely different matter. Djokovic is talking about the fact that some regulation has now been made, overnight, that nobody from the PTPA is allowed to participate in the council. This is utter nonsense,” he said.
“These statutes have been around since 2006. And it’s also logical: if you have two associations, it is clear that you cannot be part of both, that’s common sense.
“I am surprised that Djokovic is so surprised now. And that he thinks that it developed against him overnight.”
There hasn’t been any reply from Djokovic to Melzer’s comments. The world No.1 previously said he hopes the two groups would be able to work together in the future but now admits that he is looking at alternatives. Although he gave no mention as to 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.”
