Novak Djokovic speaks out: 'I battle for gamers, not division in tennis'

The Skilled Tennis Gamers Affiliation’s (PTPA) took the groundbreaking authorized motion towards tennis’s governing our bodies forward of Miami. Novak Djokovic, a long-time advocate for gamers’ rights, weighed in on the transfer from the group he co-founded with different gamers.

Whereas the Serbian legend acknowledged the lawsuit’s intent, he additionally expressed some reservations in regards to the letter. Djokovic questioned a few of the wording, calling them fairly sturdy. Nonetheless, he let the authorized staff doing their job.

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Novak highlighted that he by no means wished to make divisions in his beloved sport however to battle to make it higher for the gamers themselves. The PTPA’s authorized motion, filed within the U.S., UK, and EU, targets the ATP, WTA, ITF and ITIA, accusing them of monopolistic management, monetary exploitation and unfair labor practices.

The lawsuits argue that skilled tennis is structured in a manner that prioritizes the governing our bodies’ monetary pursuits. However, they’re systematically suppressing gamers’ earnings, limiting their autonomy and exposing them to grueling circumstances.

Novak Djokovic, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot

Djokovic, who co-founded the PTPA in 2020, has at all times championed higher illustration for gamers. One of many lawsuit’s central claims is that gamers obtain solely 17% of the game’s income, considerably lower than athletes in different skilled sports activities.

The Serb highlighted that as one of many fundamental causes for his or her efforts to vary issues, though it is not the one one. With over 250 female and male gamers backing the motion, the PTPA’s authorized battle marks a pivotal second in skilled tennis.

“To be quite honest with you, there are things that I agree with in the lawsuit, and there are also things that I do not support. I found that maybe some wording was quite strong in there.

However, the legal team knows what they are doing and what kind of terminology they are supposed to use in order to get the right effect. I have never been a fan and supporter of division in our sport.

Still, I have always fought for better representation and influence, and positioning of the players globally in our sport. I think it’s still not where most of the players and I think it should be. Not just in terms of prize money but in terms of many other points that have been also stated in that document,” Novak Djokovic mentioned.