‘Puppet of Large Corporations’: World No.2 Criticizes ATP and Supports Novak Djokovic’s PTPA

Novak Djokovic has for long been in a strained relation with the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). Even though he served as the president of the ATP Players Council for some time, he soon resigned from the post to create PTPA in 2020.

Supporting Djokovic’s cause is the current doubles World No. 2 Nikola Mektic. Currently in Belgrade, the Croatian is training at the Novak Djokovic Tennis Center along with his partner Mate Pavic. Speaking in the podcast Wish & Go, Mektic criticized ATP, calling it an organization that is a puppet of big corporations. 

The Croatian also supported Djokovic’s ‘Professional Tennis Players Association.’

While speaking through the podcast, Mektic criticized ATP and supported the PTPA. He favored the singles World No. 1 saying, “We are absolutely with Novak. I know much less than Novak.”

Novak Djokovic and the PTPA

Djokovic, along with Vasek Pospisil, started the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) in 2020. The two created the association to protect the interests of professional players, distinct from the ATP. It comes as the first all-player-run tennis organization. 

Also read- ‘He Wants People to Love Him’: Daria Kasatkina Says Novak Djokovic is Not ‘Real’ Like Rafael Nadal

On 20th February 2020, Djokovic took to his social media, posting a photo. The photo was captioned “After yesterday’s successful meeting, we are excited to announce the beginning of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA). The first player-only association in tennis since 1972.”

The PTPA is of the thought that ATP protects the interest of the tour as a whole. The PTPA works on giving the players on the tour a voice, while also working towards matters like inequality, etc. 

PTPA’s statement on Djokovic’s Melbourne 2022 conflict

Novak Djokovic was denied to play at 2022 Australian Open and was deported from the country. Reacting to this saga, the PTPA issued a statement in support of their founder.

The association claimed of being in constant touch with Djokovic, his family, legal consultants, and with the Australian leadership and government. They said, “The PTPA has been in close contact with Mr. Djokovic, his family and legal counsel, government officials, and Australian Leadership. Mr. Djokovic has verified his well-being to us. He has also requested that we allow him to personally share the facts of his detainment in his own words, and in his own time.”

Watch this story: A Tour Inside Djokovic’s Trophy Room

The association gave a supporting statement for the World No. 1 saying, “With the utmost respect for all personal views on vaccinations, vaccinated athletes and unvaccinated athletes (with an approved medical exemption) should be afforded the same freedom to compete.”

Notably, the defending champion was deported from Melbourne on January 16th, just a day before the commencement of the Australian Open 2022. 

Do you think PTPA can help make the Tennis players’ life on/off the court better? Help us know in the comments below.