Veteran Austrian tennis player Jurgen Melzer has refuted Novak Djokovic’s claim that the ATP brought a rule change to deliberately keep him out of the player council.

The 17-time Grand Slam winner leveled the charge against the governing body of men’s tennis after announcing that he had been re-nominated by the players for a return to the Council.

Novak Djokovic quit ATP Player Council in September

Djokovic, who used to head the Council, stepped down back in September claiming that it didn’t have enough say in matters involving players.

After quitting the body along with fellow member and player Vasek Pospisil, Djokovic put together a separate front called Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA).

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Surprised Djokovic is surprised, says Jurgen Melzer

The Serb, again, stirred the hornet’s nest on the sidelines of the ATP Finals this year, claiming that while he was willing to return to the Council, the governing body had put a roadblock in the form of a change to the ATP bylaw.

The rule in question bars any player, who is involved in a similar organization, from seeking membership of the Council.

However, Melzer, who has been a member of the Council, claimed the rule has been in existence for a long time.

Speaking to a French portal, the Austrian said, “Djokovic talks about the fact that some regulation was made overnight so that no one from PTPA was allowed to participate in the Council. This is absolute nonsense.”

Djokovic claimed he return to Council stalled by ATP rule change

“These statutes have been in existence since 2006,” Melzer claimed.

Pospisil, who too has been nominated for a return, also hit out at the ATP for the alleged rule change, claiming it was done to keep him and Djokovic out of the Council.

However, Melzer said he saw nothing wrong in the ATP enforcing the clause to keep the returnees out as the rules clearly state that no player, holding a position in an organization similar in nature, can be in the Council.

“Seems logical move”: Melzer backs move to keep Novak Djokovic out

“Moreover, it seems quite logical to me that it is impossible to be in two associations which are ‘concurrent’.

“So, I am surprised that Djokovic is surprised. And especially since he thinks that this rule has developed against him overnight,” Melzer said.

(Quotes have been translated using Google Translate)

The Austrian’s stand in the matter clearly marks a divergence of opinion in the matter, as many players are believed to be with the Serb.