'Players Get Shorter End Of Stick': Djokovic Details Importance Of PTPA
ATP
Novak Djokovic is determined to deliver upon the promises made when he started the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), which is to make things better for fellow tennis players.
As one of the greatest tennis players in history, Djokovic had little to worry about in his career, even though that wasn't always the case. He comes from humble beginnings and knows full well how tough some of his colleagues have it, which he recently talked about.
To help with that, Djokovic formed the PTPA, which he envisioned as a sort of union for tennis players. He found some support among his colleagues, even though most remained neutral.
He's determined to deliver on his promises because he knows the current system well. He's been part of it for many years and served as the President of the ATP council for several years, allowing him to see how flawed the system is for players.
It can be better, and he wants it to be better considering it a vital part of his legacy, which he talked about recently.
"Players get the shorter end of the stick 90 plus percent of the time. Why? Just because the system is structured and founded in such a way that doesn’t allow players to, you know, actually have a decision-making role."- Djokovic on the system
"The fact that I mean both in ATP and WTA governance, you have 50 percent of ATP and WTA belongs to players and 50 percent to tournaments. And in most of the cases, you’re always going to have a conflict of interest."
"If you actually go to the very structure and the system that is in place, I was part of the council and president of the council for six or seven years, so I understand how things work."
The PTPA has a really long journey ahead, but it's certainly good to see for Djokovic's colleagues that he's trying to help the sport and everyone involved.
