Novak Djokovic is no stranger to shaking things up in the tennis world, and this month, he made headlines again - not for his play on the court, but for stepping away from a movement he helped create.
For the first time publicly, Djokovic addressed his decision to walk away from the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA), the independent players’ group he co-founded back in 2020. The organization was built on the idea of giving players a stronger, unified voice - separate from the sport’s traditional power structures like the ATP and WTA. But now, Djokovic says he’s “stepped away completely,” citing growing concerns about how the group is being run.
“I still have the opinion that the system is failing us and I think it has to change,” Djokovic said, making it clear that his core beliefs about player representation haven’t shifted. What has changed, though, is his confidence in the PTPA’s current leadership and direction.
One of the key issues? Transparency and governance.
Djokovic didn’t mince words when explaining his departure, saying he became uncomfortable with how his name was being used in PTPA matters - especially when he wasn’t directly involved. That disconnect came into sharper focus last year when the PTPA filed a high-profile lawsuit against several of tennis’ major governing bodies, including the ATP and WTA, over what it called “anti-competitive practices and a blatant disregard for player welfare.”
Notably, Djokovic wasn’t listed as a plaintiff in that legal action.
“I also didn’t like the way the leadership was taking the direction of the PTPA,” he said. “Does that mean that I’m not supporting the PTPA?
No, I am. I am still wishing them all the best, because I think there is room and a need for 100% players-only representation organization existing in our ecosystem.”
That’s a key distinction - Djokovic may have stepped away from the organization, but he hasn’t stepped away from the cause. He’s still advocating for reform, still pushing for a players-first model in a sport where the balance of power has long tilted toward the tours and federations.
His comments came on the heels of a new development in the PTPA’s legal battle: an early-stage settlement with Tennis Australia, the body that runs the Australian Open. While details of the agreement haven’t been made public, the timing is significant.
With one major governing body now reaching a resolution, the PTPA could gain momentum in its broader case against the ATP Tour, WTA Tour, French Tennis Federation, All England Club, and U.S. Tennis Association.
In a recent statement, the PTPA called on all stakeholders to embrace “comprehensive reform,” describing the current moment as a “generational opportunity to reshape professional tennis for the better.”
Djokovic may no longer be at the helm, but his influence - and his message - still loom large. His exit highlights the internal challenges facing any player-led movement, especially one trying to disrupt a deeply entrenched system.
But it also underscores something else: the fight for stronger player representation in tennis isn’t going away. If anything, it’s entering a new chapter.