“Selfishness”: Rafael Nadal’s Uncle Slams Novak Djokovic’s New Player Association

Toni Nadal, Rafael Nadal’s former coach, and uncle is not convinced by the new players’ union proposed by Novak Djokovic. The proposed breakaway union of PTPA led by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil can potentially create a major divide in men’s tennis. This at a time when the sport is just getting back on schedule may prove to do more harm than good to tennis.

The new union proposes to form a payment structure for the top 500 in men’s singles and top 200 in men’s doubles in order to better protect their financial interests. Toni Nadal has followed statements made by Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer earlier and reiterated “this is not the time to provoke a schism”.

Toni Nadal has also questioned the intentions behind representing or looking out for the top 500 players in men’s tennis by saying

“To begin with, I read that in this new association the first 500 in singles and the first 200 in doubles would be defended. Curious and arbitrary figure. It is very nice to worry about such a high number, but when defending them, wouldn’t it be better if we defended them all?”

PTPA formed by Novak Djokovic supported by Raonic, Isner while Murray not yet convinced

Novak Djokovic has received support from Milos Raonic and John Isner among others. Andy Murray has said that although he is not totally against the idea of a players’ union he has not made up his mind just yet. He also further went on to add that if the PTPA was a combined entity with women players as well as male it would send out a more powerful message.

Toni Nadal has also questioned the motivation behind this breakaway union by saying:

“Not only do I share the opinion of some players that this is not the time to provoke a schism, but I also cannot help but see a point of selfishness when some want to pursue only their own interests.”

Where this current tussle between ATP and some of its biggest players will end up is up for speculation at the moment and only time will tell us whether this move was successful or not.

(All quotes translated on Google Translate)