After being placed in the political spotlight throughout Indian Wells, Novak Djokovic is keen to focus solely on tennis during the Miami Open.
Djokovic, who is the head of the ATP Players Council, has been under scrutiny since the decision to remove Chris Kermode from his position as CEO of men’s tennis later this year. It has been reported that the council narrowly voted in favour of removing Kermode and passed their verdict onto the Players’ Representatives, who had the final say on the matter. However, Djokovic has remained neutral on the subject and the details of that vote has been kept secret. Paving way for mass speculation on Djokovic’s motives and role in the matter.
To complicate the situation further, both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have backed Kermode. Who is overseeing a record growth in men’s tennis during his tenure. Both have also said that they were not consulted by the council over the issue.
“I tried to meet Novak on the deadline. Unfortunately he had no time. That’s hard to understand for me. He suggested that we see each other the day after – but everything was already decided.” Federer told the Swiss press during the BNP Paribas Open.
“We have not met yet. ‘I’m already interested in what’s behind it, why it happened like that. I have to think about whether I should get more involved again in the future, for the sake of the tour, or if I should just get involved a bit without going through politics.”
11-time French Open champion Nadal has also repeatedly echoed similar comments since the Australian Open. Warning that the removal of Kermode could ‘stop the process of improving our sport.’ Nadal has also criticised the council’s management of the issue.
“I am disappointed that nobody came and explained why, what’s the real reason of we don’t have Chris (Kermode) continuing running our sport.” He said.
“If a lot of players says this [that they weren’t consulted] … probably the guys who are running the council, they didn’t make the right job, because they are there representing us, so normally they have to ask what’s our opinion.”
Amid the fallout between some of the biggest names of the sport, Djokovic has played down speculation that there is friction between the trio. Both Djokovic and Federer were present during the official opening ceremony of the new venue at the Miami Open.
Following the ceremony, Djokovic appealed to the media to ‘not create any tension’ between him and others. The 31-year-old remains coy about his opinion concerning Kermode’s removal. Although he has previously called for changes to be made to the structure of the ATP.
“I saw Roger today (Wednesday), we were in the opening ceremony cutting the ribbon on center court,” Reuters quoted Djokovic as saying during his pre-tournament press conference. “We had a small chat there was no time to talk about the political stuff.
“That is hopefully something we will have time in the next few days to go through.
“It’s not necessary for you guys to create any tensions between us. In contrary I have a very good relations with both of them.”
There are two sides to the argument. Some say the reigning Australian Open champion should have made a better effort to consult with his rivals on the tour. On the other hand, it can be argued that both Federer and Nadal should have been more proactive in trying to meet with the council.
Responding to Djokovic, Federer has kept an open mind about any potential meeting between the two this week. Saying ‘if it happens, it happens.’ Nadal is yet to speak with the media in Miami this week.
“The player council is only part of the structure,” said Djokovic. “We are not part of the board or deciding anything that is voted on later on.
“We are in consultation and collaboration with our player board representatives.
“Board members are the ones voting on what they think is appropriate for the players side.
“Federer and Nadal have been icons of our sport for so many years and their opinions are extremely important to everyone.
“If they want to be active and part of it, either officially or unofficially, I think it’s only positive news for us.”
Djokovic will kick-off his Miami Open campaign against either Bernard Tomic or Thiago Monteiro.
