Tennis star Novak Djokovic has ruled himself out from the ATP Player Council, citing conflict of interests, and removed his name from the list of candidates in the council’s elections. The Serb said he will focus on the breakaway Professional Tennis Players’ Association, which he launched before the US Open this year.
The 33-year old had announced in August, right before the US Open, that he, along with Vasek Pospisil and John Isner, would leave the ATP Player Council Board and form the new PTPA to improve the sport and take it to a higher level.
Djokovic had insisted the new PTPA would co-exist alongside the ATP Player Council, saying “this is not a union. This is player association”.
However, the ATP changed the rule to prevent players from being part of both the ATP and PTPA, prompting Djokovic to step down.
“I would like to give you an update with regards to my notification for the next ATP Player Council elections. I would like to first say, as always, I am honoured by the continued support and confidence shown by those who nominated me to once again serve our collective player interests on the Council.
“My first reaction to this nomination was to accept it with the intention that, if elected, I would do my best to protect players’ interests within the ATP. However, a few days after my nomination, the ATP passed a new rule which has put me in a difficult position.
“This new rule specifies that all members of the newly formed Professional Tennis Players’ Association or any association that is deemed as having a ‘conflict of interest’ cannot be elected as a member of the Player Council.
“As you know, I am part of the PTPA, an organization that was recently created with no intention of being in conflict with the ATP. The PTPA has yet to be structured with its strategy and long-term vision yet to be clearly defined, and although the PTPA has made it clear it does not intend to be combative, it is unclear how the ATP will view the association in the future.
“Unfortunately, given these latest developments I feel it is now necessary to remove my name from the list of candidates. I do not wish to create conflict or uncertainty around the player elections or create any issues that may arise.
“I do this reluctantly and with a very heavy heart. I am, and always have been, very passionate when it comes to representing my peers on the Council. I truly believe there is a path forward that will greatly improve the lives of many players, especially the lower ranked, and have a powerful and positive impact on the sport of tennis as a whole.
“I am confident that the PTPA will achieve this in the near future. Before concluding, I wish to communicate that it is extremely important that we do not have conflicts of interest in our sport. I hope that, going forward, this is not only applied to the formation of new associations at the player level but further applied to all levels within the ATP structure,” Novak Djokovic said.
