Novak Djokovic Quits Professional Tennis Players Association

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Novak Djokovic is retreating to the baseline.

The tennis star has decided to leave the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), an organization he started with Vasek Pospisil in 2020. He said he made the decision after giving it careful thought.

He announced his decision on January 4th via X, explaining it followed long-standing issues with how the organization operates, including a lack of openness and concerns about its leadership. He expressed pride in co-founding the PTPA with Vasek, aiming to give players more power and independence, but stated that his personal values and working style no longer fit with the organization’s current path.

Although he wishes the organization and players well, Novak is now focusing his energy elsewhere.

The 38-year-old athlete stated they will continue to prioritize tennis, family, and upholding their values within the sport. However, they consider this part of their career to be finished.

From the beginning, the PTPA has pushed for Grand Slam tournaments to give a bigger share of their revenue as prize money – a goal supported by players both inside and outside the organization. Currently, only 15 to 20 percent of Grand Slam revenue goes to prize money (according to The Athletic), while major sports leagues like the NBA, NFL, and MLB distribute around 50 percent.

The most important development was the antitrust lawsuit filed in March by the PTPA against the four Grand Slam tournaments, the ATP tour, and the WTA tour.

After the PTPA filed a lawsuit, they reached an agreement with the Australian Open. However, Wimbledon, the US Open, the French Open, and the two main professional tennis tours are now trying to get the case thrown out.

After Novak Djokovic made his announcement, the PTPA issued a statement supporting their position, but they didn’t mention him by name.

The PTPA was formed by players to give them a greater and more open voice in the world of professional tennis, the organization announced on X. It’s run by the players themselves, with a focus on open communication, teamwork, and consistent communication. The PTPA is always happy to discuss any concerns players may have and remains available to do so.

Okay, so the PTPA is finally speaking out about the lawsuits they’ve been fighting with the tours and Grand Slams, and honestly, it makes so much sense! They’re saying it’s all about pushing for real change – things like fairer governance, more transparency, and protecting player rights. But get this – they claim they’re now being deliberately attacked! It’s like, people are spreading lies and trying to scare witnesses to make the PTPA look bad. It’s awful! They’re saying it’s a coordinated effort to discredit everything they’re trying to do, and as a supporter, it just makes me so mad to see them treated like this!

The organization stated it’s consulting with lawyers, law enforcement, and players to explore ways to combat the spread of false information. Despite this, the PTPA continues to focus on its goal of achieving positive changes for all players.

Although Novak is pushing for more openness during matches, he enjoys a friendly and supportive relationship with his fellow players off the court. Here’s a look at some of the players who have formed strong bonds.

In March 2025, tennis player and soccer star Trinity Rodman publicly confirmed their relationship with a kiss shared on Instagram, quickly becoming a celebrated couple in the sports world.

She consistently cheered him on during major tournaments, and quickly defended him when reporters brought up his father, Dennis Rodman, instead highlighting Shelton’s achievements at Wimbledon.

Rodman addressed Wimbledon commentators on her Instagram story, upset they mentioned her father during her partner Ben’s matches. She explained that her father isn’t a part of her life and she doesn’t want him discussed during her own matches either, so it was inappropriate to bring him up during his.

Fritz and Morgan Riddle began dating in 2020 after connecting on the Raya app. Since then, Riddle has consistently supported Fritz as his tennis career has progressed and he’s climbed the ATP rankings.

She told TopMob News in 2024 that she met him and began touring with him a few months after that initial meeting. They’ve been traveling together ever since – almost four years now.

The couple has frequently offered fans a peek into their relationship. Taylor Fritz, who was previously married to tennis player Raquel Pedraza from 2016 to 2019 and shares a son, Jordan, born in 2017, and Jordan Riddle were both highlighted in the Netflix series Break Point, which gives an inside look at professional tennis.

As of 2023, two-time grand slam champion was purposely keeping her love life private. 

She explained in March 2023 that she enjoys sharing certain aspects of her personality, while preferring to keep others private. She also feels a sense of control over her own life.

As a lifestyle expert, I always emphasize the importance of a strong support system, and Coco Gauff’s recent US Open win is a perfect example! She shared with reporters that after the match, she immediately called her boyfriend – it turns out his fourth-grade teacher was actually Coco’s mom! They talked for hours, until 1:00 am, just to process everything. It’s so healthy to have someone you can really connect with and share those big moments with – a true testament to the power of a solid relationship!

Dimitrov and Eiza González confirmed they were dating on Instagram in May 2025, shortly after rumors began circulating. Since then, the actress, known for Baby Driver, has been very supportive of the athlete, even during difficult times, like when he had to stop playing in Wimbledon in early July 2025 because of an injury during a match.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m always struck by the power of supportive relationships, and honestly, what González shared on Instagram really resonated with me. She wrote to her partner, expressing immense pride and reminding them that even tough moments are temporary and build strength. It was beautiful to see her publicly acknowledge their inner strength and champion them, saying the whole world saw their winning spirit and that she knows they’ll shine again. It’s a wonderful reminder that love and encouragement can truly lift someone up.

In 2024, the tennis couple revealed they were engaged after dating for nearly five years. Boulter shared the news with a playful message, hinting they’d been keeping it quiet for a while.

Boulter and her partner first met in 2020 while staying at the same hotel. She told the Sydney Morning Herald in June 2024 that they ran into each other at 6 a.m. and ended up having coffee together. She said she immediately knew it was the start of something serious.

In January 2025, tennis star Naomi Osaka confirmed she and rapper Cordae had ended their five-year relationship. Despite the breakup, they remain friends and she’s thankful for their time together, which resulted in the birth of their daughter, Shai.

I’m so grateful our paths crossed. My daughter is the greatest joy in my life, and I learned so much from our time together.

While Paul excels at basketball, his girlfriend, Paige Lorenze, who he started dating in 2022, often provides guidance and support in his personal life.

Paul shared with People magazine in April 2025 that his partner has been encouraging him to focus on self-care, even if it’s just something simple like wearing sunscreen and using moisturizer at night.

Lorenze admits he’s impressed with his girlfriend’s tennis skills. “She’s a really good player,” he said. “She has all the necessary shots and clearly knows how to play the game.”

The tennis players have a strong connection both on and off the court. They first met after Svitolina’s win at the 2018 WTA Finals in Singapore and later married in July 2021. Just over a year after their wedding, they had a daughter named Skaï.

In October 2022, Gaël Monfils announced the birth of his daughter, Skaï, on Instagram. He described the night as the best of his life, sharing that he and his wife welcomed their “little princess” around 6:00 am. He praised his wife’s strength and bravery, and expressed gratitude to both her and God for the special moment.

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2026-01-05 17:18