Follow us on Google Discover Novak Djokovic is not one to shy away from his feelings, and he’s often played the role of the villain because of that approach.
WTA ace Aryna Sabalenka thinks Djokovic is “very open”, which he certainly was when speaking about the current state of tennis at the Joy Forum earlier this month.
ATP star Djokovic aired his concerns about tennis when speaking at the event in Riyadh, having been in the Saudi Arabian capital for the Six Kings Slam.
Djokovic detailed how he founded the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) with fellow player Vasek Pospisil, about which he claimed: “Now we have the PTPA, but still we don’t have a seat at the table where the decisions are being made. That’s the downside of our sport and the way it’s structured. The system is as it is.”
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The comments have now been analysed by Andy Roddick, who reached world number one and won one Grand Slam title during his career on the court.
He said of Djokovic’s comments on his Served podcast: “Is it the monopoly of the Tour or the Slams or all the above? You say system, but specifically which system? You say monopoly, but specifically which monopoly?
“Just frankly speaking, I think Novak is extremely well intentioned and the players in the locker room have grown to really love and adore this guy as a leader in the sport.
“But also if he wants to come out and say some things, let’s say it. This thing has been around for a long time now. Let’s just come out and say it.
“This is the thing that I need when I am trying to get on board. I think there needs to be a union but I just think that the players need to decide who is that for them.
“I don’t think you can start a union and then say we represent you, I don’t think that is the way that it works and it hasn’t worked for the PTPA.”
What happened between the PTPA and the ATP and WTA tours earlier this year?
As Roddick mentioned, Djokovic has undoubtedly gained the respect of his fellow players in the locker room, and indeed many outside of the entire sporting world itself.
He’s given so much to the sport for so long, and has reaped the rewards, with 24 Grand Slam titles among his career achievements.
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But the veteran is clearly unhappy with the current situation of his beloved sport, a situation he evidently wants to change.
Whether or not change will happen remains to be seen, but the situation did reach a breaking point earlier this year when the PTPA filed a lawsuit against the ATP and WTA.
Notably, Djokovic did not attach his name to the lawsuit, which featured privacy rights, the unsustainable schedule and player disregard among other issues.