Novak Djokovic Admits He Would ‘Love’ Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to Join the PTPA

The PTPA (Professional Tennis Players Association) is a proposed association of male and female tennis players. Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil are its two founders. Recently, the World No.1 expressed his desire of having Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as members of the PTPA. In a press conference, the Serbian said that he would love to have both his rivals in the association.

“Before we created PTPA I have spoken to both Federer and Nadal. They did not want to take part in it. I am not criticizing anybody, it is a democratic world we live in…Would I love for them to join us? Of course, I would,” said the 33-year-old Djokovic.

Djokovic respected their opinions for not joining the association earlier. But, he hinted that he would welcome them both whenever they wished to join his initiative.

The PTPA is a player’s union which will represent the interests of tennis professionals. Both Federer and Nadal have refused to be a part of this association because they believe that a pandemic is not the right time for creating a rival players’ bloc.

Why do Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil feel that the PTPA is important?

The players led by Djokovic and Pospisil argue that they are not legally protected at the moment. The ATP gives the players no legal protection, something that the PTPA seeks to correct.

Interestingly, ATP has refused to accommodate the PTPA as the body believes that such a thing is not viable. However, Pospisil is sure that the two bodies can co-exist easily.

He extends his arguments by assuring that the approach of the PTPA will not be combative, and it would complement the work already being done by the ATP.

The tennis world is surely facing a dissidence at the moment. Some are in favor of the PTPA, while others simply feel that there is no need for such an association. Djokovic and Pospisil have even ensured that female players would also be a part of the PTPA.

There is an on-going debate on whether PTPA would get the approval or not. It will be intriguing to see whether the side led by the World No.1 would be able to convince the authorities.