MELBOURNE — Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic announced on Sunday that he has withdrawn from the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), the players’ union he co-founded in 2020, citing concerns over transparency, governance, and representation within the organization.
Djokovic, the current world No. 4, made the announcement through a post on social media, saying he decided to step away completely after reassessing his alignment with the group’s direction.
The PTPA was established by Djokovic and Canadian player Vasek Pospisil to provide professional tennis players with an independent collective voice. In March 2025, the association filed legal action against major tennis governing bodies, accusing them of anti-competitive practices and highlighting what it described as an unsustainable playing schedule spanning nearly the entire year across the ATP and WTA Tours.
In his statement, Djokovic said his decision stemmed from ongoing concerns about how his views and image were represented, as well as issues related to transparency and governance within the organization. He added that while he remains proud of the original vision behind the PTPA, his values no longer align with its current direction.
Djokovic said he will now focus on his playing career, his family, and other contributions to the sport consistent with his principles.
The 38-year-old, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, is preparing for the 2026 season and is scheduled to compete in the ATP event in Adelaide from January 12 to 17 as part of his buildup to the Australian Open, where he is seeking a record 25th major title.
