New-look ATP Player Advisory Council met in Melbourne ahead of Australian Open
ATP
A new-look ATP Player Advisory Council met on the eve of the Australian Open, the men's tour has announced.
Names such as Andrey Rublev and Grigor Dimitrov were among eight new player members who convened in Melbourne on January 12.
The ATP Player Advisory Council meets several times a year and makes recommendations to ATP Management and the ATP Board of Directors through the Player Board representatives, whom the Council elects.
It was the first of many such meetings that are due to take place in 2023 and the newly elected members are:
- 1-50 Singles: Andrey Rublev & Grigor Dimitrov
- 51-100 Singles: Pedro Martinez & Bernabe Zapata Miralles
- 1-25 Doubles: Wesley Koolhof
- 1-75 Doubles: Harri Heliovaara
- At-Large: Pedro Cachin & Matt Ebden
- Coach Representative: Daniel Vallverdu
- Alumni Representative: Nicolas Pereira
Bulgaria's former World No.3 Dimitrov, who currently ranks at World No.28 explained after many years, now was just the right time to get involved.
He said:
"I've been asked so many times in the past but I just never felt it was the right time and the right fit for me at the time. I think now I'm in a position where I've got a few years behind me, I have the experience on the court, I have experience with the players and I'm looking forward to it.”
However, the ATP council has come in for criticism in recent years for not representing the players needs properly.
In 2020, Novak Djokovic quit as a candidate for the ATP council to focus on his role in fronting the new Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA), which he started with Canadian Vasek Pospisil in 2019.
The pair felt this new body would represent the players needs in a better way and had the added bonus of representing WTA players.
And, on January 11, 2023, the day before the first ATP meeting, the PTPA announced it's first-ever Executive Committee and Official Principles, with Ons Jabeur, Paula Badosa, Hubert Hurkacz and John Isner instilled in the roles.
Pospisil said:
"This organisation was founded on the belief that every player must be respected, protected and guaranteed their rights, and the PTPA Principles will serve as our compass to ensure we live up to those standards. The PTPA will thrive only through collective voice and the strength and solidarity of the players. We are prepared to face both the challenges and opportunities ahead to advance the rights of all players."
