Djokovic Urges Younger Stars to "Fight for the Players’ Rights" by Joining PTPA

Tuesday, 01 August 2023 at 19:00

byAlex Waite

Novak Djokovic wants younger ATP and WTA players to join the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) to help improve players' rights.

Djokovic is part of the Player Executive Committee at the PTPA, which aims at using player voices to improve equality relating to health, well-being, and non-tennis opportunities. The organisation began in 2019, and other members include Ons Jabeur and Paula Badosa.

In recent months, Djokovic has advocated for players to join the PTPA to improve player representation in professional tennis. The 23-time Grand Slam winner has taken part in a new video, posted on Twitter, to share the benefits of the player-centred organisation.

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"We’re trying to perfect our structure and management to the best of our abilities so that we show to the players primarily, but also to the whole ecosystem that we are credible and not going anywhere. We are going to fight for the players’ rights of having a more significant seat at the table of the decision-making process for both men and women."

"I, as a player, understand what players are going through. I’ve been playing professional tennis for 20 years. I’ve been on the council. I’ve been the president of the council for years. I feel it has been an absolute necessity to have an organization that is representing only 100 percent players’ rights."

However, the Serbian player was eager to emphasise his and the PTPA's stance that younger players, in particular, could benefit from joining the setup. The 36-year-old explained that young players could safeguard their futures in the game by joining the PTPA.

"Especially with the younger generations, they don’t want to risk too much. They think they want to be conservative, they want to focus on playing matches."

"They don’t want to lose what they’ve earned or what they are part of, which I understand and I don’t judge that but by supporting PTPA, you’re actually supporting yourself. You’re supporting your future.