Djokovic severs ties with PTPA in major blow to player union
Novak Djokovic has severed ties with the PTPA, the breakaway union he co-founded in 2020, citing deep-seated concerns over transparency and governance.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025 | © Tennis Majors / Julien Nouet
Novak Djokovic announced on Sunday he is severing all ties with the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), the breakaway player union he co-founded in 2020.
The announcement, a major event for the sport’s political landscape, was made via a series of posts on the social media platform X. The 38-year-old Serbian cited deep-seated concerns over the organization’s transparency and governance as the primary reasons for his sudden departure.
“After careful consideration, I have decided to step away completely from the Professional Tennis Players Association,” Djokovic wrote. “This decision comes after ongoing concerns regarding transparency, governance, and the way my voice and image have been represented.”
The move marks a stunning reversal for the man who served as the face of the PTPA since its inception during a dramatic showdown at the 2020 U.S. Open. Alongside Canadian player Vasek Pospisil, Djokovic sought to challenge the established power of the ATP and WTA tours, advocating for a larger share of revenue for lower-ranked players.
Djokovic absent from the filling
The announcement follows nearly a year of reported internal friction. In March 2025, the PTPA launched a sprawling antitrust lawsuit against the ATP, WTA, and the International Tennis Federation (ITF), alleging anti-competitive practices. The action was later expanded to include the organizers of the four Grand Slam events.
While the lawsuit listed several current and former players as plaintiffs, Djokovic’s name was notably absent from the filing. Sources close to the player suggested he disagreed with the aggressive legal escalation led by Executive Director Ahmad Nassar.
In Miami nine months ago, the Serb had already signaled that he was no longer fully aligned with the PTPA’s initiatives. “To be quite frank with you, there are things that I agree with in the lawsuit and there are also things that I don’t agree with. I found that maybe some wording was quite strong in there,” he said at the time.
“But I guess the legal team knows what they’re doing and what kind of terminology they’re supposed to use in order to get the right effect. This is a classic lawsuit, so lawyers to lawyers type of situations.” Based on U.S. antitrust laws, the filing characterizes the tennis governing bodies as “cartels” that exercise monopolistic control over the sport.
The Tennis Australia deal
The internal divide deepened in late 2025 following a controversial settlement with the organizers of the Australian Open. According to a report by The Athletic in December, the PTPA reached a separate deal to remove Tennis Australia from the ongoing litigation, a move that effectively broke the unified front against the four Grand Slams.
The settlement, which reportedly involved concessions on prize money and player access but avoided a court trial, was seen by some as a tactical victory but by others – including, reportedly, Djokovic – as a compromise that undermined the association’s original mission of total systemic reform.
“I am proud of the vision Vasek and I shared when founding the PTPA,” Djokovic said on Sunday. “But it has become clear that my values and approach are no longer aligned with the organization’s current direction.”
Focus on 2026 Season
The timing of the exit, just two weeks before the start of the 2026 Australian Open on Jan. 18, suggests the world’s most successful male player is looking to clear his plate of political distractions.
Djokovic, who has previously mentioned the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as a long-term goal, stated he would now refocus his energy on his personal performance and family.
“I will continue to focus on my tennis, my family, and contributing to the sport in ways that reflect my principles and integrity,” he added.
The PTPA, which is backed by American billionaire Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square Foundation, has yet to issue a formal response to its co-founder’s exit.
