“Ashamed”: Ex-Australian Open Director on Novak Djokovic’s Exit From Players Council

Just two days ago, Novak Djokovic withdrew his name from the upcoming ATP Player Council elections despite being nominated again for a return. Djokovic’s decision came at the backdrop of ATP’s new rule, which barred members of the PTPA from getting elected to the Players’ Council.

After resigning as the president of the ATP council in August, Djokovic co-founded the Professional Tennis Players Association to protect the interests of the players. But the new rule has deemed members of the PTPA as having a ‘conflict of interest’ and thus renders them ineligible to hold any position at the Players’ Council.

Former Tennis Player backs Novak Djokovic

The 17-time Grand Slam champion made the announcement on Twitter and revealed that he made the decision with a heavy heart. Among many fans backing Djokovic’s decision, former tennis player and ex-Australian Open Director Paul McNamee expressed his support for the World No.1.

Through a Twitter post, McNamee criticized the ATP for barring the No.1 ranked player in the world from representing fellow players. Calling it a shameful act, McNamee believes the ATP went against its own principles, which were against the ideals of its founding members, including the late legend Arthur Ashe.

“It is with a deep sadness that I read that the #1 player in the world is barred from representing his peers… this was never, is not and will never be what the organisation ought stand for… imo the founders of the ATP, including the late great Arthur Ashe, would be ashamed,” said McNamee.

However, the ATP is yet to respond to Djokovic’s latest statement. Over the last few months, the formation of the PTPA has turned into a contentious issue, with Djokovic being heavily criticized for breaking out of the ATP Player’s Council.

The Serbian’s prime adversaries – Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have also rejected the idea of a new players’ association and called for unity instead.