WELLINGTON • World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from this month’s ATP Participant Council elections, citing the governing physique’s new rule that might make it a “battle of curiosity” due to his position within the Skilled Tennis Gamers Affiliation (PTPA).
The Serb arrange the brand new breakaway unbiased gamers’ union on the eve of the US Open in September and resigned as head of the participant council.
Whereas he confirmed final month he had been nominated by his fellow professionals for the present elections, which he accepted, the brand new ATP rule means he has needed to withdraw.
“My first response to this nomination was to simply accept it with the intention that, if elected, I’d do my greatest to guard gamers’ pursuits inside the ATP,” Djokovic tweeted on Monday.
“Nevertheless, a couple of days after my nomination, the ATP handed a brand new rule which has put me in a troublesome place. Sadly, given these newest developments I really feel it’s now essential to take away myself from the record of candidates.
“I don’t want to create battle or uncertainty across the participant elections or create any points which will come up.”
He repeated the assertions he made a number of instances this yr that the PTPA wished to co-exist with the game’s governing our bodies and had “no intention of being in battle”, however the ball was now of their court docket.
“The PTPA has made it clear it doesn’t intend to be combative, it’s unclear how the ATP will view the affiliation sooner or later,” the 17-time Main winner mentioned.
He added that the PTPA was nonetheless within the formative phases however he was nonetheless eager to advance it to additional the pursuits of all gamers, particularly these within the decrease ranks.
The choice to kind the PTPA blindsided many gamers, with report 20-time Grand Slam champions Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal voicing their opposition.
REUTERS
