Novak Djokovic’s entry into tennis labor relations is ending with far less success or impact than his legendary on-court career.
The 24-time major winner said Sunday he is stepping away entirely from the Professional Tennis Players Association, the group he cofounded with Vasek Pospisil in 2020. In a series of tweets, Djokovic cited “ongoing concerns regarding transparency, governance, and the way my voice and image have been represented.”
It has been far from an easy time for the PTPA and Djokovic. The organization sued the WTA and ATP last year, and he frequently wrestled with the high visibility that action gave to him personally. In part because of that, and also to help keep a focus on the rights of players, Djokovic elected not to put his name on the lawsuit as a plaintiff.
The legal action is continuing, and also now involves the organizers of three tennis majors (Tennis Australia, organizer of the Australian Open, came to an undisclosed settlement with the PTPA just last week). But Djokovic has said he does not agree with some parts of the lawsuit. He has also said that the group, led day-to-day by Ahmad Nassar, has not sufficiently gained a “voice at the table where the decisions are being made.”
Djokovic’s move arrived just over a week before the Jan. 12 start of the 2026 Australian Open, heralding the beginning of this year’s Grand Slams.
“I am proud of the vision that Vasek and I shared when founding the PTPA, giving my 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 organization,” Djokovic continued. “I will continue to focus on my tennis, my family, and contributing to the sport in ways that reflect my principles and integrity. I wish the players and those involved the best as they move forward, but for me, this chapter is now closed.”
In its own statement, the PTPA complained of “inaccurate and misleading narratives” stemming from the ongoing legal conflict. “We have been targets of a coordinated defamation and witness intimidation campaign.”
The statement did not name Djokovic, but appeared to address him indirectly: “We always welcome the opportunity to address issues with any player, and remain available to do so.”
