Novak Djokovic confirmed on Sunday that he is stepping away entirely from the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), explaining that he no longer agrees with how the organisation is being run, particularly around governance and transparency. The Serbian star also said on X that he was unhappy with how his voice and image had been represented in recent months.
Novak Djokovic co-founded the PTPA with Canadian player Vasek Pospisil in 2020 to give tennis players a stronger and more independent platform in negotiations with the sport’s authorities. The group was created as an alternative voice to the ATP and WTA, with a goal of improving player representation and welfare across professional tennis.
“I am proud of the vision that Vasek and I shared when founding the PTPA, giving players a stronger, independent voice, but it has become clear that my values and approach are no longer aligned with the current direction of the organisation,” Djokovic said, adding that he would now focus on tennis and his family.
In March 2025, the PTPA filed legal action against several major tennis bodies, including the ATP, WTA, International Tennis Federation and the International Tennis Integrity Agency. The lawsuit accuses these organisations of anti-competitive behaviour and failing to properly protect players rights and wellbeing. The four Grand Slam organisers were later added to the case.
Novak Djokovic, who holds 24 Grand Slam titles, had already stated that he did not agree with every aspect of the lawsuit. Both the ATP and WTA strongly denied the allegations when the complaint became public.
Despite the legal dispute, the PTPA said in November that talks with Tennis Australia were progressing positively, with hopes of reaching an agreement ahead of the Australian Open, which begins January 18 in Melbourne and marks the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.
Djokovic’s departure marks a significant shift for the PTPA, given his status as one of the sport’s most influential and high-profile players.
