Tag: tennis

Novak Djokovic is stepping up in a big way for professional tennis. As a passionate athlete who has poured nearly 21 years into his tennis career, he’s now stepping up to give back to the community that has supported him all along. Currently, in the middle of what many speculate to be his final season, the Serb is rallying up the troops for the PTPA. He’s not just serving his best on the court; he’s smashing the barriers around it as he goes.

Last year, Djokovic passionately addressed the need for change within professional tennis, stating, “We all definitely want to see a change at the base level because the 150th player on the planet struggles.” This sentiment is exactly why the PTPA was created; to tackle the existing structures in tennis that haven’t been serving players effectively. As Nole put it, “People don’t realize how expensive this sport is.”

The world of tennis is reaching a boiling point, and the PTPA is leading the charge—taking legal action against the ATP and WTA. The target? Those suffocating non-competition clauses that prevent players from participating in independent events. It’s a battle that has been brewing for years, and the frustration is palpable. Seasons grow longer, matches stretch endlessly, injuries pile up, and players are left battered and broken. They dedicate their lives to this sport, but are given no reprieve—just more demands, more exhaustion, more silence from those who are supposed to have their backs.

This is why the PTPA is fighting—not just for change, but for fairness, for a future where players have a voice, where their sacrifices are recognized, and where the game respects the people who give it everything. The anger and exhaustion are real, and it’s about time the system takes notice.

Even the CEO of the PTPA, Ahmad Nassar, isn’t mincing words. “The system is so biased against the players, as well as sub-optimal for fans and media and other commercial partners,” he declared, exposing a reality that many know but few dare to say aloud. He’s demanding a shift, not an overnight fix but a long-term transformation. “I’m asking for a 10-year plan because tennis needs a revamp, and nobody seems to have an answer for where we are going next,” Nassar added, his words ringing with the urgency of a sport on the brink of breaking down.

The stark difference between tennis and golf paints an even bleaker picture. Last year, only Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz broke into the top 100 highest-paid athletes, while golf boasted ten players on that list. The Grand Slams may offer the allure of big prize money, but beyond the elite few, the pay drops off a cliff. Tennis players, battling through brutal schedules, punishing heat, and constant injury risk, are often left with aching bodies and empty bank accounts, while golfers can bank millions without even coming close to winning. The inequality is glaring, and it cuts deep.

It’s no wonder the players are fed up. They aren’t just fighting for trophies; they’re fighting for respect, for their future, and for their right to a fair game. Djokovic’s involvement with the PTPA is a testament to his devotion—he knows firsthand what it’s like to fight for everything, to leave it all on the court, and he wants to give his peers a safety net for when they finally hang up their racquets. Even as whispers of retirement grow louder around him, Djokovic isn’t backing down—he’s still in the fight, still determined, still passionate about changing the game for the better. His fire burns bright, and his dedication is a reminder that this battle is far from over.

Novak’s plans long after he’s left the court

After a seven-year-long gap, Novak Djokovic is back in action for his 10th appearance at the Shanghai Masters. He is determined to become the third player in the Open Era to win 100 tour-level titles. Not to mention that he is also aiming to surpass Roger Federer’s record of 71 titles on hard courts. But what fuels his desire to get back on the court time after time?

In a recent press conference, he expressed, “My love for tennis will never feed away. I have a lot of emotions when I am playing. And not particularly only in the tournament, but also in practice sessions. Sometimes it’s not always going your way, but I think my relationship with tennis goes much deeper than a tournament or a year or success or failure.”

Despite fulfilling his dream of winning an Olympic gold medal, the Serbian tennis player admitted to feeling a bit exhausted, which may explain his early exit from the US Open 2024. However, his passion for the sport still burns bright, as evidenced by his victory at the Davis Cup. He expressed his desire to remain connected to tennis even after retiring from the court, stating, “It’s a sport that I fell in love with when I was very young. I still have a love for the sport. Even when I retire from professional tennis, I’m going to stay in tennis, stay involved in different roles because I feel like I owe this sport a lot for what it has given to me.”

Talk about unwavering commitment! Seems like Djokovic is ready to show that his passion for tennis remains as strong as ever. So fans better keep a close eye on this player. The Masters 100 might just be another incredible chapter in his legendary career.