Vasek Pospisil says the collaboration between players and the ATP regarding decision-making in the sport is ‘fake’ with there being no such system in place.
The former top 30 player has taken a swipe at the governing body of men’s tennis following Canada’s shock 2-1 quarter-final loss to Finland at the Davis Cup finals in Malaga. The defending champions were without their two highest-ranked players, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov, due to injury. Meanwhile, Pospisil is still dealing with pain in his elbow after tearing a tendon back in July but did play in the tie.
“I was in a lot of pain. It’s not fun playing in pain,” Pospisil told reporters on Tuesday.
“I would have rather not played if we had somebody (in the team) that was healthy and willing to go, but I was healthy enough. My tear healed a couple of days ago. I still have some issues but it’s not perfect, that’s for sure.”
Pospisil believes his recent injury woes have been caused by the type of balls being used on the Tour. Becoming the latest players to raise concerns about the trend of players suffering injuries whilst playing with these heavier balls which has a greater impact on their bodies. Another complaint among the Tour has been concerning the different types being used at various tournaments which doesn’t enable players to have enough time to get used to them.
“Every player was complaining about the ball, every single player,” he claims.
“It was like we were playing with a rock. I have never experienced anything like it in my life. Every time you hit the ball you felt pain in your wrist, elbows and shoulder.’
“Unfortunately, I played very well those two weeks. I guess they were good for my game but terrible for my body. By the second week, I had a second-degree tear in my UCL. Almost tore it all the way through.”
“Players don’t talk about it openly. They are in the locker room. I mean, how many wrist surgeries have we seen this year? I can name several players.”
Shortly before the start of the Paris Masters, Novak Djokovic told reporters that board meetings would be taking place to address those concerns surrounding the types of balls being used. Although there is yet to be anything officially announced. The world No.1 highlighted the issue after speaking with the ATP’s President Andrea Gaudenzi and CEO Massimo Calvelli.
33-year-old Pospisil co-founded the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) alongside Djokovic. An independent organization that campaigns for players to have a greater say in the decision-making process. The ATP says they respect the PTPA but argues that such an organization isn’t needed because they have their own player’s council. Something that the likes of Djokovic and Co dispute. Paula Badosa, Ons Jabeur and Hubert Hurkacz currently sit on the PTPA’s board.
Pospisil argues that the ATP’s claims of players being involved in the decision-making process are nothing but a front with there being no effective system in place. However, he believes change is on the way with the help of pressure being applied from the likes of the PTPA.
“Tennis is a huge global business, multi-billion-dollar industry. I think we should be treated as partners,” he said.
“I think players bring a lot of value to this business, and that hasn’t been the case. I have seen it. I have been on the (ATP) council. I know exactly how things go.’
“There is a facade of collaboration but the reality is there’s not. Obviously, now there is a lot of pressure because of the Player Association (PTPA) because it’s being spoken about a lot more. So there is some movement there in the right direction.’
“Players can complain, complain, complain. At the end of the day, they don’t really have that much say in this sport, unfortunately. But it’s changing. It’s changing quickly. I think when it does, this sport will be a lot better.”
At the Davis Cup, Finland will play either Australia or the Czech Republic in the semi-finals later this week.
