“It’s a Complicated Matter”: Jan-Lennard Struff Skeptical About Novak Djokovic’s New Players’ Association

Published 08/31/2020, 8:53 AM EDT

Apart from the resumption of tennis, another topic that has taken motion and will be talked about extensively in the coming weeks is the creation of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA). Novak Djokovic, Vasek Pospisil, and John Isner resigned from their positions in the ATP Player Council to create a new independent front for the players.

Pospisil in his resignation indicated that players from the ATP Player Council don’t have much authority in decisions that are made by the ATP. Prompting the inception of an independent association to keep the players’ interests in mind.

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Jan-Lennard Struff on Novak Djokovic’s players’ association

In an interview with Sportschau, Jan-Lennard Struff said that the PTPA is a complicated matter. He neither accepted nor rejected the idea of the association. The World No. 29 believes in keeping his views on the matter to himself.

“As the question suggests, it’s a very complicated matter. I cannot answer the question with either agreement or rejection. At this point in time, I don’t want to go into detail about it.

“I am fully informed about the process and of course, all the players are talking about this topic and there are controversial views,” Struff said.

“There is Active Dialogue With the Women’s Side”: Vasek Pospisil Defends New Players’ Association

After yesterday’s successful meeting, we are excited to announce the beginning of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA). The first player only association in tennis since 1972. #PTPA pic.twitter.com/q8H0aOdqDl
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) August 30, 2020

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This move has been criticized by the ATP and the four Grand Slams. Looking at the tour, players have split into three sections with regards to PTPA. The likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have rejected the notion of the association.

Andy Murray and Daniil Medvedev seem reluctant to sign and want to wait for further developments and information on the same. And finally, players like Noah Rubin and Milos Raonic who have supported the PTPA and are expected to sign soon.

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So by the looks of it, the entire men’s division with the ATP and tournaments is in shambles. Pospisil also revealed that talks are on with the female players as well.

If a unified front involving men and women comes forth, then it will be interesting to see how ATP and WTA respond.

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Written by:

Bhavishya Mittal is a tennis author for EssentiallySports, who is currently pursuing his Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Manipal University. A former sports editor for The Manipal Journal, Bhavishya has also worked for The New Indian Express. He has a keen eye for many sports but he is a particularly ardent follower of tennis, with a zest to create riveting articles on the ever-evolving sport.

“It’s a Complicated Matter”: Jan-Lennard Struff Skeptical About Novak Djokovic’s New Players’ Association

Jan-Lennard Struff on Novak Djokovic’s players’ association

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