BREAK POINT

Tennis Champion Breaks Up With Professional Players Association

The 24-time Grand Slam champion is severing ties with an organization he co-founded.

Novak Djokovic is cutting ties with the professional tennis association he co-founded. The Serbian 24-time Grand Slam champion, 38, announced that he is departing from the Professional Tennis Players Association over “ongoing concerns regarding transparency, governance, and the way my voice and image have been represented.” The group was founded by Djokovic and former Canadian tennis star Vasek Pospisil in 2021. “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,” Djokovic, a noted anti-vaccine crusader, wrote on X. “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.” The move comes as the PTPA sues tennis governing bodies ATP and WTA for “systemic abuse, anti-competitive practices, and a blatant disregard for player welfare.” Djokovic said in March that he did not agree with all parts of the antitrust lawsuit.