Novak Djokovic News: ATP Chairman ‘Sympathizes’ With Players-Only Association

KEY POINTS

Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil started the Professional Tennis Players Association
The PTPA was met with criticism from players such as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal
ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi sympathizes with the PTPA and hopes to work with it

ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said he wants to work together with Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil's upstart Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA).

The goal of the PTPA is to serve as an independent body for the players separate from the governance of the ATP and WTA. The chairman of the ATP shared in a conference call Thursday that his vision is to work with the players' organization for the good of the sport.

"They definitely have the objective to improve life for the players on the tour, and we have nothing against that," Gaudenzi said as reported by ESPN. "Actually, we want to help, and we are listening."

The PTPA’s intention was met with criticism when Djokovic and Pospisil initially launched the players' union, including negative feedback from top players Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

The world is living a difficult and complicated situation. I personally believe these are times to be calm and work all of us together in the same direction. It is time for unity, not for separation.
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) August 29, 2020

I agree @RafaelNadal. These are uncertain and challenging times, but I believe it’s critical for us to stand united as players, and as a sport, to pave the best way forward. https://t.co/foAmiLVrdV
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) August 29, 2020

"This is the first time after many, many years that players will have 100% their own association that will represent them in the tennis ecosystem," Djokovic said earlier this month regarding PTPA’s plans.

The impact of the PTPA on the ATP has yet to be seen but Gaudenzi ensures that he wants the players’ concerns to be heard.

"It's at a very early stage, so it is difficult at the moment to have a clear understanding of the scope and whether there is an overlap [with the ATP] or not," Gaudenzi said.

At this point, discussions are still open on how the ATP can address the concerns of all the athletes of the sport.

"We definitely had a conversation and continue to have it. We cannot ignore that some of the players feel certain areas need to be improved," the ATP head added.

The forming of the PTPA comes from Djokovic and Pospisil’s vision of having the best interests of the players heard while coexisting with the ATP and WTA.

"First and foremost, I have to say I sympathize a lot with the players, and it helps me a lot having been a player," Gaudenzi said.

The ATP chairman added that he understands where the players are coming from.

"I've been in those shoes. I know how it feels. You are an individual, traveling on your own, not part of a team. You see the world from your perspective, with a lack of appreciation of what is behind a tennis tournament. While playing, you work hard, go on court and think it's just me, me, me. So I completely sympathize," Gaudenzi shared.