Djokovic ends association with tennis players’ body

Novak Djokovic has cut ties with the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), the players’ group he co-founded in 2020, saying his values no longer align with the organization’s current direction. The decision marks a significant break between the 24-time Grand Slam champion and a body that has challenged tennis’ governing structure in court.

Djokovic announced his move in a post on social media platform X on Sunday, pointing to concerns over “transparency, governance, and the way my voice and image have been represented. ” While wishing the association well, he said his involvement with the group has come to an end.

The PTPA was launched by Djokovic and Canada’s Vasek Pospisil during the 2020 U.S. Open, with the stated aim of providing independent representation for professional tennis players, who largely compete as individual contractors. From the outset, the association positioned itself as a potential alternative to existing structures, with ambitions that included collective bargaining rights similar to those seen in team sports.

Those ambitions took a major step forward last year when the PTPA filed a class-action lawsuit against the men’s and women’s tours, the International Tennis Federation and the sport’s integrity agency. The four Grand Slam tournaments Wimbledon, the U.S. The French Open and the Australian Open were later added as defendants. The lawsuit accuses tennis authorities of systemic abuse, anti-competitive practices and neglect of player welfare, while arguing players deserve a larger share of the sport’s revenues.

Notably, Djokovic was not listed as a plaintiff when the case was filed. At the time, he said he wanted other players to take the lead, even as he remained publicly supportive of broader reforms.

In his latest statement, Djokovic said he will now shift his focus away from organizational battles. “I will continue to focus on my tennis, my family, and contributing to the sport in ways that reflect my principles and integrity,” he wrote.

While the PTPA continues its legal fight, Djokovic’s departure underscores ongoing divisions within tennis over how change should be pursued and who should lead it.