Novak Djokovic quits role before Australian Open as Serb voices concerns | Tennis | Sport

Novak Djokovic has announced his decision to walk away from the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), the players’ union he co-founded six years ago. The Serb’s announcement comes after the PTPA’s public battle to increase the power of the tennis players and reduce the control of the sport’s governing bodies. Djokovic launched the union alongside his friend Vasek Pospisil but has grown disillusioned with its current direction and has opted to cut all ties.

And he wrote on social media on Sunday night: «After careful consideration, I have decided to step away completely from the Professional Tennis Players Association. This decision comes after ongoing concerns regarding transparency, governance, and the way my voice and image have been represented.

«I am proud of the vision that Vasek and I shared when founding the PTPA, giving players a stronger, independent voice – but it has become clear that my values and approach are no longer aligned with the current direction of the organisation.

«I will continue to focus on my tennis, my family, and contributing to the sport in ways that reflect my principles and integrity. I wish the players and those involved the best as they move forward, but for me, this chapter is now closed.»

Djokovic, still searching for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam triumph, is due to return to court this month with the Australian Open – the first Slam of 2026 – beginning on January 18. Before that, he will play in Adelaide which begins a week earlier on January 12.

The development comes after the PTPA brought a lawsuit against tennis’ governing bodies last March. It was announced that legal action would be taken against the ATP, WTA, International Tennis Federation and International Tennis Integrity Agency. The bodies were accused of «systemic abuse, anti-competitive practices, and a blatant disregard for player welfare».

In September, the four Grand Slams were added to the lawsuit. Although in November a letter filed to the United States Southern District Court in New York said that Tennis Australia, which organises the Australian Open, was nearing a settlement with the PTPA and that «substantive and productive bilateral settlement discussions» were ongoing.

The PTPA’s executive director Ahmad Nassar told BBC Sport last March: «The goal is not to litigate this to the end. We are absolutely prepared to do that, but that’s not what we actually need or want. What we want is to get everybody to the table to reform the sport the way that many of them have already spoken about.»

And Djokovic admitted that same month: «This is a classic lawsuit, so lawyers to lawyers, type of situation. So, to be quite frank with you, there are things that I agree with in the lawsuit and then there are also things that I don’t agree with.

«And I found that maybe some wording was quite strong in there, but I guess the legal team knows what they are doing and what kind of terminology they’re supposed to use in order to get the right effect.

«I’ve never been a fan of division in our sport but I’ve always fought for better representation and influence of and positioning of the players globally in our sport, which I think is still not where I think it should be.»