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A detailed view of an ATP TOUR logo on a tennis net during the semifinal round of the Western & Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 17, 2019 in Mason, Ohio. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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A detailed view of an ATP TOUR logo on a tennis net during the semifinal round of the Western & Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 17, 2019 in Mason, Ohio. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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.
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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.
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Tennis – ATP Finals – The O2, London, Britain – Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in action during his group stage match against Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
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.
.@VasekPospisil and @DjokerNole
were nominated by their peers to run for the ATP Player Council, and now need to plan their next move. https://t.co/cmkq514EAc— TENNIS (@Tennis) November 26, 2020
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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Jurgen Melzer of Austria returns a shot during his men’s singles first round match against Bradley Klahn of the United States on Day Three of the 2012 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2012 in the Flushing neigborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/Getty Images)
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.
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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.
