By Richard Pagliaro Sunday, January 4, 2026
Photo credit: Rob Newell/CameraSport
Novak Djokovic At the beginning of the new year, say goodbye to PTPA.
Grand Slam king Djokovic announces his retirement Professional Tennis Players Association He co-founded the company with Vasek Pospisil because “it became clear that my values and approach no longer aligned with the current direction of the organization.”
In a statement posted on X, the Serbian superstar also said he doesn’t appreciate how the PTPA represents his “voice and image.”
After much consideration, I have decided to completely withdraw from the Professional Tennis Players Association. This decision follows ongoing concerns about transparency, governance and the way my voice and image are represented.
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 4, 2026
I was proud of the vision that Vasek and I shared when we founded the PTPA to provide a stronger, independent voice for players, but it became clear that my values and approach no longer aligned with the current direction of the organization.
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 4, 2026
Former world No. 1 Djokovic and Pospisil founded the Professional Tennis Players Association to give athletes a greater say in professional tennis.
Djokovic has long said the ATP does not truly represent player interests, claiming tennis players need a real federation and should earn more from tournaments, especially the Grand Slams.
“I’ve said this many times in the media over the past few years. But according to some studies and surveys on the popularity of sports, tennis is actually the third or fourth most popular sport on the planet,” Djokovic told the media at a past press conference. “I think we’re in third place with cricket. Number one is obviously rugby, or what you call football, [then] Basketball is followed by more than 2 billion people.
“Tennis and cricket have a population of 1.3 billion, but in terms of maximizing its potential and commercial value, we’re ninth or 10th. So, there’s huge potential [potential]…
“Common ground and a common direction to make everyone happy or a win-win situation. The thing is, the monopoly has been there for decades and it’s hard to break it and players often get shorter penalties and I think any player is right to speak out on this issue.
“So I think I’m coming to the end of my career and a lot of people have been relying on me to comment on this, as I do now, and I don’t mind talking about it, but I would like to see the current leaders of the various tours, and the future generations that are going to lead the sport for decades to come, take a lead and understand that these issues, these topics, these themes are important to them and to the players, not just to them but to the other players that they represent.”
I will continue to focus on my tennis, my family, and contributing to the sport in a way that reflects my principles and integrity. I wish the players and those involved the best as they move forward, but for me the chapter is now closed.
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 4, 2026
Now, the former ATP Player Council chairman says his relationship with the PTPA is over.
