Novak Djokovic’s Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has unveiled its first executive committee. Djokovic, who founded the PTPA with Vasek Pospisil during the 2020 US Open, has a goal of helping other players get better rights.
Now, Djokovic’s PTPA has unveiled its first executive committee and features well-known and respected tennis names: Djokovic, Pospisil, Ons Jabeur, Paula Badosa, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Saisai Zheng, Hubert Hurkacz, John Isner.
In its statement, the PTPA said: «The eight founding members of the Committee will contribute their diverse perspectives and professional experiences to this important new leadership body. They will help the Committee provide strategic leadership to develop the organization and advance the mission and agenda PTPA commercial.
Djokovic’s PTPA fights for a seat at the table with tennis’ governing bodies
Also in its statement, the PTPA revealed its five core principles: «1: Take collective action and advocate on behalf of tennis players globally.
2: Get the fair share of the players in the tennis business and terms of participation. 3: Optimize and rigorously protect the rights of tennis players. 4: Safeguard the welfare of tennis players and protect players from abuse.
5: Advocate for and contribute to the best vision and structure of tennis globally.» The NBA and NFL have player unions, which represent the players and step in when they feel a player needs protection.
When Djokovic created the PTPA, one of his biggest goals was to provide player protection and guarantee better rights in certain areas. Pospisil, who founded the PTPA with Djokovic, told Reuters this will be a historic moment: «Now there are all the indicators that this is going to be a great moment for our sport.
All the players we have there are highly respected, well loved, intelligent… They will be great assets and we are very lucky they have joined. Two and a half years ago, Djokovic left the ATP players and formed a players-only association It’s no secret that the ATP has never been a fan of Djokovic’s PTPA project.
