Sports
“A Disrupter”: Novak Djokovic Reveals Talking to Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian About PTPA
The Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) recently held an online video press conference, which co-founders Novak Djokovic, Vasek Pospisil, and newly appointed executive director Adam Larry attended. Interestingly, during the session, Djokovic opened up about the involvement of 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams with the PTPA.
Notably, Djokovic and Pospisil are both former ATP Player Council members, the Serbian being the president. However, they realized that the players did not get a say in the big decisions regarding the sport. Ergo, they formulated the players’ association, which started before the 2020 US Open.
“We have tried the conventional way, and we are trying now the unconventional way,” Djokovic said.
After yesterday’s successful meeting, we are excited to announce the beginning of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA). The first player only association in tennis since 1972. #PTPA pic.twitter.com/q8H0aOdqDl
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) August 30, 2020
Novak Djokovic briefs on Serena Williams’ involvement with PTPA
Firstly, the 19-time Grand Slam champion reflected on how the player’s association came into the picture. Up until now, 70% of male professional players have joined them, with the female numbers still unknown.
“You start to realize that the players are not represented in the way that they deserve and in the way they should be. I feel like many players are figuring out,” Djokovic said, “that we need to do something more than just trying to be satisfied with the little information that we are getting.”
Watch this story: Serena Williams And Venus Williams Best Moments at the Wimbledon Championships
Furthermore, the current World No.1 shared that he contacted Serena Williams regarding PTPA during the French Open 2021. He now looks forward to meeting her again at Wimbledon, along with her husband, Alexis Ohanian.
“I’m planning to talk with her again here in London,” Djokovic added. About her husband, the co-founder of Reddit, “A disruptor and very successful entrepreneur who has some ideas that he would like to share with us,” the Serbian enlightened.
No doubt, Serena’s involvement would give PTPA a push further towards their cause. “At some point, I think, they’ll [ATP] realize when we have this many players that it’s important to collaborate with us,” Pospisil said.
Also, they are confident that the governing body of male tennis players would soon start communicating with them.
Do you think the PTPA will benefit tennis players in the long run?
Also Read: Wimbledon Championships 2021 Draw: Serena Williams’ Path to 24th Grand Slam
The post “A Disrupter”: Novak Djokovic Reveals Talking to Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian About PTPA appeared first on EssentiallySports.
