Novak Djokovic is not only fighting to embed his name in tennis history; he is also fighting for the future of the sport. On his journey to create a better athletic future, his efforts are joined by a lot of tennis players. With the Djokovic-led PTPA growing, a lot of tennis players, including Nick Kyrgios and Taylor Fritz, have joined to fight for their own rights.
But now, even this lower-ranked Indian tennis player’s ordeal highlights the need for Novak Djokovic’s PTPA. Recently, Sumit Nagal, a 26-year-old tennis player, indirectly talked about how tennis is an expensive sport while indirectly listing the need to have a player’s association.
Sumit Nagal highlights the need for Novak Djokovic’s PTPA
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
After making a return to the top 200, the 26-year-old Indian tennis player, in an exclusive interview with the Times of India, highlighted how it’s not easy to play tennis. In India, tennis is not one of the top sports. However, the problem Indian tennis enthusiasts face, is also faced by the rest of the world. Nagal points out a crucial problem with tennis, and the solution probably lies with Novak Djokovic’s association.
Sumit Nagal talks about a major point that makes tennis more difficult. He stated, “The thing with tennis is that it is a funny sport. You can spend as much as you want. Firstly, you have to figure out what your budget is for a tennis coach. If you have got a little bit extra, then you get your fitness trainer involved.” But how does Novak Djokovic fit into this?
Along with that, Sumit Nagal highlighted how he has been spending 1.2–1.8 million USD on a yearly basis. While talking about the sport, he also indirectly talked about the need to have Novak Djokovic’s PTPA. Nagal then emphasized the fact that the budgets in the tennis arena have been draining him a lot.
Nagal said, “So it all depends on who you are, where you’re living, and what is the budget you want to spend. I’ve been spending more than Rs 1-1.5 crore (1.2-1.8mn USD) on a yearly basis.” In addition, he also talked about how having a coach or a doctor also comes with an expensive price range. All of this is making the sport more difficult for lower-ranked tennis players.
Nevertheless, one of the main agendas of the PTPA (Professional Tennis Players Association) is to find comfort for lower-ranking tennis players in terms of competition and survival in the tennis world. Apparently, just a few days ago, the 24-time Grand Slam champion revealed a brutal reality that makes his association a necessity.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
When Novak Djokovic explained the significance of his association’s presence
Tennis is an individual sport that comes with a lot of issues, like equitable compensation, retirement benefits, pensions, and equal opportunity. But now it’s high time to bring all the players under the same umbrella, and that’s what the 36-year-old Serb has been trying to do with the PTPA.
In a recent video posted on the Association’s official Twitter account, Novak Djokovic explained how there is a need to have a players association in this system that represents the players’ interests at its core. Subsequently, he highlighted that the system is structured in such a way that it does not allow a player to have agency over their own careers.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Novak Djokovic’s PTPA is working on the betterment of players. The association is trying to create a supportive environment for every tennis player present on the circuit. What do you think about the PTPA? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
WATCH THIS STORY: The Journey of Roger Federer to the Elite Billionaire’s Club