Novak Djokovic quits gamers’ union he based and leaves PTPA combating for survival with out its greatest identify, writes MATTHEW LAMBWELL

Novak Djokovic has withdrawn his support from the tennis players’ union he co-founded, saying in a bombshell statement that ‘my values and approach are no longer aligned with the current direction of the organization’.

It is a devastating blow to the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA), launched in 2019 by Djokovic and now-retired Canadian Vasek Pospisil. To lose the support of their founding father even as they remain in a legal battle with the organisations that run the sport feels like the kind of blow from which it will be difficult to recover. 

A statement from the 24-time Grand Slam champion on X/Twitter read: ‘After careful consideration, I have decided to step away completely from the Professional Tennis Players Association. This decision comes after ongoing concerns regarding transparency, governance, and the way my voice and image have been represented.

‘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 organization.

‘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.’

After meandering along garnering incremental support and offering various services to players the PTPA went nuclear in March 2025 when they filed a lawsuit against what they described as ‘the cartel’ of governing bodies ruling tennis.

Djokovic has withdrawn his support from the tennis players’ union he co-founded, saying in a statement that ‘my values are no longer aligned with the current direction of the organisation’

A dozen players – including Pospisil and Nick Kyrgios – were named as plaintiffs in that suit but, crucially, not Djokovic himself. The PTPA tried to spin that as a tactical manoeuvre, shifting the focus on to the lawsuit itself rather than one big name, but it always felt like a red flag.

That the co-founder and by far the biggest name in the sport was unwilling to put his name behind the legal filing was not exactly a ringing endorsement. The party line was that Djokovic was fully behind everything that was in the lawsuit, but that line began to fray as the 38-year-old addressed the media.

‘This is a classic lawsuit, so lawyers to lawyers,’ said Djokovic in Miami last year. ‘So to be quite frank with you, there are things that I agree with in the lawsuit, and then there are also things that I don’t agree with.

‘And I found that maybe some wording was quite strong in there, but I guess the legal team knows what they are doing and what kind of terminology they’re supposed to use in order to get the right effect.’

Some of the wording was indeed rather hysterical – not least the now infamous ‘cartel’ line. The gist of the lawsuit is that tennis players are held hostage by an anti-competitive system – there is only one tour so stars are bound by its rules whether they like it or not, while having little-to no say in how those rules are shaped.

It makes many legitimate points – not least about a calendar that is in desperate need of reform. In September the PTPA added Wimbledon and the other Grand Slams as defendants in the suit, and last month agreed a settlement with the Australian Open. While the details of that deal are undisclosed it felt like a win for the PTPA and a boost to its legitimacy – but now comes the Djokovic statement.

Daily Mail Sport have contacted Ahmad Nassar, executive director of the PTPA, for comment. The organisation’s Twitter account posted a cryptic message which never once used Djokovic’s name.

‘Players created the PTPA to secure a stronger, more transparent voice in professional tennis,’ the statement read. ‘The PTPA is governed by players and operates with open communication, collaborative decisions, and regular engagement. We always welcome the opportunity to address issues with any player, and remain available to do so.

The PTPA went nuclear in March 2025 when they filed a lawsuit against what they described as ‘the cartel’ of governing bodies ruling tennis, with Nick Kyrgios named as a plaintiff

‘As part of its mission, the PTPA initiated litigation against the tours and Grand Slams to advance reforms related to governance, transparency, and player rights. As a result, we have been targets of a coordinated defamation and witness intimidation campaign through the spreading of inaccurate and misleading narratives intended to discredit the PTPA, its staff, and its work. A federal court has already ruled this type of harassment improper and ordered it to cease.

‘We are working closely with legal counsel, law enforcement and players to evaluate all available options to address the spread of misinformation. These attacks from non-player third parties will not distract us from our mission: pursuing meaningful reforms for all players.’

The eyes and ears of the tennis world will be on Djokovic when he faces the media before the Australian Open, which begins on January 18. Never one to duck an issue, he will be expected to elaborate on his reasons.

As for the PTPA, they will sail on into choppy waters – a ship without its figurehead.