After Djokovic announced his withdrawal, the PTPA issued a powerful statement in response: they are currently facing defamation and intimidation.

On Sunday, January 4, Djokovic confirmed his departure from the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), a move that sent shockwaves through the tennis world. Within hours of this breaking news, the PTPA issued a strong statement asserting that the organization is currently targeted by an "organized defamation" and "intimidation" campaign following last year's contentious lawsuits against tennis authorities and the four Grand Slams.

Last Sunday, former world No. 1 and 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic posted on X (formerly Twitter), unexpectedly announcing that he will no longer participate in any affairs of the PTPA, the association he co-founded with others in 2020.

“After careful consideration, I have decided to completely withdraw from the Professional Tennis Players Association. This decision stems from ongoing concerns about transparency, governance, and how my voice and image are represented,” the 38-year-old Djokovic wrote in a series of posts on X.

About five hours after Djokovic’s announcement, the PTPA released its own statement on X. Although it did not directly mention Djokovic or respond to his remarks, it included troubling accusations regarding the public environment surrounding the association. The PTPA said that since filing lawsuits last year against the ATP, WTA, ITF, ITIA, and the four Grand Slam events, false information about the association has been widely circulated.

The statement read: “As part of our mission, the PTPA has sued tour organizers and Grand Slam tournaments to push reforms related to governance, transparency, and player rights. Because of this, we have become targets of an organized campaign of defamation and witness intimidation, spreading inaccurate and misleading narratives aimed at discrediting the PTPA, its staff, and our work.”

One of the most notable details in the collective lawsuit filed by the PTPA against tennis power structures is that Djokovic, as a co-founder, is not listed among the plaintiffs. When asked about his views on the lawsuit, the Serbian star gave a rather intriguing response—he candidly expressed disagreement with parts of the lawsuit but did not elaborate further.

“This is a typical legal case, essentially lawyer versus lawyer. Frankly, there are aspects of the lawsuit I agree with, but there are also parts I do not,” he said at a press conference before the 2025 Miami Open.

Following the exit of this superstar, who has won 101 singles titles in his career, the future direction of the PTPA remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Djokovic emphasized in his departure statement that his current focus will be on tennis itself and his family.

When Djokovic officially launched the formation of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) during the 2020 US Open, his commitment was unwavering in the early stages. He even supported the PTPA’s bold vision of creating a "boutique tour," centered around roughly 15 to 20 key tournaments, aiming to reshape the power structure at the top of the tennis calendar.

However, over time, the tone began to shift. As the PTPA took an increasingly hardline and aggressive stance against the ATP Tour, Djokovic gradually chose to step back. His distancing from the association was subtle but clear, as the organization’s growing confrontational posture no longer fully aligned with his approach.

This separation became more evident when the PTPA filed lawsuits and Djokovic was not named as a plaintiff, causing discomfort for him and his team. Whenever the PTPA clashes with tennis governing bodies, Djokovic is often perceived as part of the "offensive side." The closed and tightly knit tennis administration system always views him as a central figure, even though he is not directly involved.

At the same time, Djokovic has been forging new partnerships. He signed lucrative commercial agreements with Saudi sports investors and agreed to appear at local events. Saudi Arabia has recently become a significant player in tennis investments and plans to host an ATP1000 Masters tournament starting in 2028.

The real turning point came when Djokovic refused to sign the PTPA’s antitrust lawsuit documents. The organization strongly wanted him involved, and his absence spoke louder than any statement, clearly indicating that their paths had diverged. Ultimately, Djokovic seeks balance; he wants to advocate for players and promote better conditions but does not want to be remembered as the "main disruptor" of tennis as his career nears its end.

During last year’s US Open, he had already hinted at this shift. Reflecting on past controversies, he said, “I noticed many top players strongly oppose extending Masters tournaments to nearly two weeks.” He added, “I support the players, but when it really matters for players to be actively involved, negotiating, and making decisions, their participation isn’t sufficient.”

With this iconic figure’s departure, the reforms the PTPA once pushed for may struggle to maintain momentum and might not fully realize their potential impact. As this era’s idol gradually steps aside, the future of the PTPA remains undecided. (Source: Tennis Home, Author: Spark)