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via Reuters

via Reuters

In tennis, some stories are not often told. It’s about Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil, famous for their tennis skills but also for their quiet work off the court. They started an organization called the Professional Tennis Players Association or, PTPA. Their aim? To make tennis more fair and transparent for the players.

While the platform and the audience were keen on listening to VPs take on the current tennis ecosystem, he took a while to appreciate his friend with whom he had started his initiative.

Vasek Pospisil’s take on the popularity problem of Novak Djokovic

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In a recent conversation with the Smashing Racquets Podcast, Pospisil talked about his views on different parts of the ATP and WTA tour. But what stood out was his heartfelt praise for his friend, Novak Djokovic. “Novak doesn’t get enough credit, and it pisses me off,” Pospisil passionately declared.

He further added, “He’s such a good guy. Everybody can act like they’re an angel when the cameras are rolling, and they can say the right things and this and that. It’s like how you are when there are no cameras around and how you are with people in general. I mean, he’s so generous, and I don’t know if it’s my place to say this, but he helps juniors in Serbia; he’s financing; he’s helping; he really cares. And that’s because of, I guess, his upbringing and what he went through to get to where he is, and he has appreciation of the grind, how hard it is, and how skewed everything is against the players. It comes from a genuine place. He’s trying to help these players in the sport.”

This message of support from Pospisil is proof enough as to why Novak Djokovic chose him to have his side while starting PTPA. But, what is the PTPA and what are their goals?

The PTPA and their aim to bring player-power into tennis

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The PTPA consists of high-ranking tennis players, both in singles and doubles. Their objective is clear: they aim to empower players to have a greater say in the choices that impact tennis. In many other sports, athletes can unite and talk with those in charge to make sure things are fair.

In a recent talk on the ‘Smashing Rackets’ podcast, Vasek Pospisil talked about why they started their initiative. He said, “Novak and I, we started the first player association. And we’re trying to replicate what other sports have, which is, you know, the athletes have the ability to collectively bargain and have proper professional representation in the sport, which tennis players don’t have. I mean, its structure is messed up; it’s awful, terrible. And they try and they pretend like it.”

ALSO READ: 3 Years After Choosing to Walk the Path of Rebellion Alongside Novak Djokovic, 33YO Canadian Tennis Star Uncovers the Primary Goal of Their Alliance

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The PTPA is working hard to bring tennis players together and give them a strong voice. Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil have a bold dream: they want to make sure everyone in tennis has a fair chance, just like they do in their beloved sport.

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