Throughout his career as a professional tennis player, Novak Djokovic has been known to stand his voice towards the players who need some help. This led him to the creation of the PTPA, an organization that works tirelessly to ensure that lower-ranked tennis players can have access to their basic needs. However, it was not at all an easy task for him. What started as a good initiative dealt with a lot of backlash. Even today, the PTPA does not seem to align well with ATP and the WTA on some issues.

Reflecting on the same, in a recent interview, the executive director of the PTPA came ahead and talked about the PTPA while issuing a major warning to the ATP and the WTA. Not only this, he also went ahead to talk about the differences that are there between them.

Novak Djokovic’s PTPA issues a warning shot to ATP and WTA

In a recent revelation, Ahmad Nassar, the executive director of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) came ahead and talked about the main aim of the organization. While suggesting that its main focus isn’t on destroying the ATP and WTA, Nassar says that it seeks a partnership to think about the players’ interests. Yet, dismissing player voices may lead to repercussions.

The efforts to collaborate with the ATP and the WTA exist, but there is a huge division among them. They tried talking to ATP and WTA, but they mostly care about tournaments and business partners, not just players. Sometimes they get along, and other times they clash, like at the WTA Finals.

“The PTPA is not necessarily an existential threat to the ATP and WTA. In an ideal world, it should be viewed as a critical and necessary partner to the ATP and the WTA. But if you’re going to ignore players, don’t be surprised if bad things happen,” said the executive director of the PTPA, Ahmad Nassar.

“We have made significant outreach to both the ATP and the WTA, but we’re not on the same side of the table. They really predominantly represent the tournaments and the tours and their commercial partners. We represent the players. It ebbs and it flows. There’s been some moments of collaboration and very friendly dialogue. There are some times where there’s a little bit of a batten-down-the-hatches mentality. The WTA Finals was certainly an example of that,” he further continued.

Thus, despite major attempts, there seems to be a major clash between the organizations. While ATP and WTA majorly focus on their business partners and deals, PTPA works relentlessly towards the betterment of the players. Not only this, but they have issued a stern warning to them as well.

Also read: 3 Years After Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s United Urge, Novak Djokovic’s Rebel Association Highlights Existing Flaws in the System to Strengthen Their Voice Further

Not only this, Nassar also went ahead to slam tennis and suggest how the game has been left far behind. The executive director went ahead to discuss the major loopholes that do not allow tennis to grow together as a sport.

Executive director hints at major problems that tennis deals with

According to the executive director of the PTPA, tennis is far behind as compared to other sports. Talking about the same, he suggested that the current model of the game is very outdated while suggesting that the game is already 30 years behind than as compared to where it should have been today. He further added that the tours should be seen as leagues which would provide more action and drama to the game.

“Tennis players have been left behind over the last 30 years. The players lost control of the structure. The tours should be seen like leagues. They make the rules. They make the schedule. They do all the things that event planners and governing bodies do,” said Ahmad in the interview.

Thus, the current system has many loopholes that still need to be addressed. While the likes of Ahmad Nassar hinted at the major problems that tennis is currently dealing with, it will be interesting to see how soon can the changes be implemented.

 Watch this story: Distressing Serena Williams Reality Leaves Gaping Void That’s Nearly Impossible to Fill for Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek