‘Lack of Leadership’: Vasek Pospisil Calls Out the ATP’s Silence on Novak Djokovic Debacle in Melbourne

The mess in Melbourne that surrounds Novak Djokovic has enraptured all of the tennis world right now. Ahead of the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic had finally managed to secure a medical exemption to play in the country.

However, upon landing in Melbourne, the border forces detained him and threatened him with a cancellation of his visa. Furthermore, they also threatened the 9-time Australian Open winner with prompt deportation.

Many fellow athletes have come out in support of Djokovic since then. Among them, Nick Kyrgios and longtime friend Vasek Pospisil have been quite vocal as well.

Pospisil calls out the ATP on its silence about Novak Djokovic

Canadian tennis star Vasek Pospisil has now spoken against the Association of Tennis Professionals. According to Pospisil, the ATP’s absolute silence and lack of statement regarding the whole fiasco is a sign of them being uncaring.

“Regardless of your view of the situation in Australia with Novak and the other players, notice how the ATP is silent,” Pospisil said. He points out that since Novak Djokovic landed in Melbourne and was detained, it has been four days.

However, there has still been no statement from the ATP regarding the matter, which concerns none other than their World No. 1 player. Vasek Pospisil and Novak Djokovic are also the founders of the PTPA- the Professional Tennis Players Association. “Not even a simple statement after four days,” Pospisil pointed out.

The PTPA aims to develop a self-governed structure of players that is independent of the ATP. Thus, it stands to reason that the founder himself is quite unhappy with the ATP’s handling, or lack thereof, of the situation.

ALSO READ: ‘Used to be Like Friends’: Nick Kyrgios Makes Surprising Revelation About His Relations with Novak Djokovic

Pospisil addressed the Novak Djokovic situation and the ATP in the same tweet. “The silence from the @atptour on the @AustralianOpen, @DjokerNole & other players is deafening,” Pospisil tweeted. He then tagged the PTPA players in the same tweet.

Pospisil points out ATP’s lack of leadership

In his tweet, Vasek Pospisil also highlighted how their lack of statement means the ATP does not care about their players. In fact, this was one of the reasons he co-founded the PTPA in the first place, alongside Novak Djokovic.

Now, when “faced with real issues,” according to Vasek, the ATP is “showing a complete lack of leadership,” per his tweet. Pospisil has been vocal in his support for the 20-time Grand Slam champion since the fiasco began.

“Despite the controversy of the last 30+hours, @DjokerNole is my friend, my fellow player, @ptpaplayers co-founder & proud Serbian,” he had tweeted.

What do you think about the ATP’s surprising lack of statement regarding the matter?

WATCH THIS STORY: From US Open Disqualification to No Entry at Australian Open: Novak Djokovic’s Biggest Controversies