“Definitely on the PTPA Side”: Denis Shapovalov Sides With Novak Djokovic’s Breakaway Players’ Union

The Miami Open 2021 has started off on a gloomy note on the ATP side. One controversy that engulfed the first few days was Vasek Pospisil’s meltdown in the first round of the tournament. The incident raised questions about player treatment and ultimately saw various players coming together to offer their support to the Canadian. This also brought together various players who were in support of Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil’s PTPA.

Now, even Denis Shapovalov has offered his support for PTPA.

Shapovalov had earlier been tight-lipped about the PTPA. But after his second-round match at Miami Open, he clarified that he is a supporter of PTPA. He believes the newly formed association is a better representation of players on the tour than ATP.

“I’m definitely on the PTPA side. I think we are not under-represented, but I think there [are] ways that we could be represented better.”

Denis Shapovalov on the mistreatment of players

Shapovalov reiterated that players and tournaments are partners and the way players are treated is not correct.

“They are just telling us to go and play tennis which, in my opinion, it’s not right. They shouldn’t, you know, talk to us like that if we’re partners.”

During his match, Pospisil blasted a ball out of the court, broke his racquet, and abused the chair umpire. But that is not all, Pospisil, during the match, even said that ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi tried to shut him down in a recent meeting because he had created the PTPA.

When did Novak Djokovic start PTPA?

PTPA or the Professional Tennis Players Association was started by World No.1 Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil last year. They alleged that players don’t have a say in the decisions taken by the ATP and the tournaments, and so decided to go ahead with a new association to better represent the players on the ATP and WTA Tour.

Moving over to Shapovalov, the Canadian had a good start to his Miami Open. He registered a three-set victory in the second round and will next play 26th seed, Hubert Hurkacz.

Read More: “#Playersvoice”: After Novak Djokovic, Milos Raonic, John Isner and Others Line Up to Support Vasek Pospisil