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Jonathan White

In many ways, the coronavirus pandemic has been something of a leveller, bringing us all together, united against a common enemy.
Social distancing, working from home, not making needless trips, wearing masks, all are small sacrifices made by people everywhere to help stem the tide.
It’s nothing compared to what those on the frontline have gone through, or those people who have been to hell and back in losing livelihoods and loved ones.
And there are those who swim against the current.

Take Novak Djokovic, whose largest statements during the pandemic have been to basically deny its seriousness, refuse any hypothetical vaccination and run a tennis tournament the equivalent of Typhoid Mary in his native Serbia, where he contracted Covid-19.
Now with the tennis calendar back – and the US Open starting today – he is up to it again. Zigging where others zag, breaking free from the crowd, being peak Novak.
How does world’s highest-paid tennis player Novak Djokovic spend his money?
Make no mistake, Djokovic is already one of the greatest players to have ever played the game. He can move himself to a position where he is discussed even apart from his rivals – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray – over the next few years.
Time is on his side. Federer is 39 and surely even the Swiss cannot stop the clocks. Nadal, 34, and Murray, 33, are younger than Federer but have both suffered with serious injury.
Djokovic, also 33, is healthier and younger than all three. He beat Milos Raonic for his second Cincinnati Open on Sunday in the lead up to Flushing Meadows, becoming the first man to win all nine Masters 1000 events at least twice. No one else has done it once.

THE GOLDEN GOLDEN MASTER @DjokerNole is the #CInCyTENNIS champion & the first man to win every Masters 1000 title TWICE pic.twitter.com/35Jmk2L1DQ
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 29, 2020

He also holds the record for the greatest start to an ATP Tour season – his 41-0 run in 2011. In fact, he holds the top three with a 17-0 run in 2013 already bested by this year’s 23-0 and counting run that is set to continue at the US Open.
His place in the pantheon of tennis greats is not in doubt on the court, but it might well need an asterisk off it.
Djokovic’s latest move is on-brand and off-colour in equal measure: resigning as president of the ATP players' council to create a rival player’s association, the Professional Tennis Players Association, in the midst of this crisis.

I agree @RafaelNadal. These are uncertain and challenging times, but I believe it’s critical for us to stand united as players, and as a sport, to pave the best way forward. https://t.co/foAmiLVrdV
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) August 29, 2020

He stands apart from the other three of the Big Four on this.
Nadal has been the most vocal. The Spaniard spoke out on social media despite telling GQ Spain that, “I am not interested in participating in this circus of hypocrisy” after criticism following earlier comments on his country’s dealing with Covid-19.
“The world is living a difficult and complicated situation. I personally believe these are times to be calm and work all of us together in the same direction. It is time for unity, not for separation,” Nadal wrote on Twitter.
Kyrgios has become tennis’ expletive-laden voice of reason
Federer responded to the tweet. “I agree @RafaelNadal. These are uncertain and challenging times, but I believe it’s critical for us to stand united as players, and as a sport, to pave the best way forward.”
Djokovic has since said he would like them both to be part of it – “Of course, I would love to have Roger and Rafa on board” he said Sunday. “Of course, I would love to have all the players on board.”
But as Andy Murray pointed out the new association is literally not for everyone.
Djokovic tests positive for Covid-19
One of Murray’s stumbling blocks is that women are not included, the other is he wants to give the current management time, though Djokovic claimed there is “active dialogue with the women’s side”.
Exactly what the PTPA will be and how it will work remains unclear but for its name and a focus on the top 500 men’s players and top 200 in men’s doubles.
“We are not calling for boycotts, we are not forming parallel tours,” Djokovic said after winning the Cincinnati Open on Sunday. “I think this is an important step for players and for the sport.”

After today’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/070TRKZ4xG
— Vasek Pospisil (@VasekPospisil) August 29, 2020

It’s loaded language when other sports are calling for boycotts, such as the NBA player response to the shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin last week and fellow tennis star Naomi Osaka refusing to play her Cincinnati semi-final in unity with that.
Is this the most important step for tennis?
Others had mooted that the unity of the pandemic might see a united men’s and women’s tour come out of the other side. The battle for equal pay for women has been a uniting factor too with some notable exceptions – Djokovic being front and centre for years before softening his stance and calling for equal pay this March.
Osaka sets record for 12-month earnings by female athlete
His deeds with the PTPA don’t back those words, though. Whatever his intention, Djokovic’s move is one that has divided rather than united the sport.
It’s tone-deaf and looks greedy to those tennis fans who have lost their jobs. Now is not the time.
To quote another outspoken world number one: “surely, you cannot be serious?”


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Novak Djokovic’s PTPA power play is tone deaf amid coronavirus crisis and calls for social change

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his win over Milos Raonic of Canada in the men's singles final of the Western & Southern Open. Photo: AFP

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 29: Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with the winner's trophy after defeating Milos Raonic of Canada in the men's singles final of the Western & Southern Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2020 in the Queens borough of New York City. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Novak Djokovic in action on day one at US Open bubble in New York

Novak Djokovic of Serbia is set to seek another grand slam title at the US Open this year during Covid-19. Photo: AFP

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 29: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates a point against Milos Raonic of Canada in the men's singles final of the Western & Southern Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2020 in the Queens borough of New York City. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 29: Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot to Milos Raonic of Canada in the men's singles final of the Western & Southern Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2020 in the Queens borough of New York City. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Nick Kyrgios slams Novak Djokovic: has tennis bad boy become the sport’s expletive-laden voice of reason

Australia's Nick Kyrgios reacts during his men's singles first round match at the 2019 Wimbledon Championships. Photo: AFP

Australia's Nick Kyrgios speaks during a press conference at the Queensland Tennis Centre in Brisbane on January 2, 2020. (Photo by SAEED KHAN / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

Nick Kyrgios slams Novak Djokovic after Serbian star tests positive for coronavirus

Novak Djokovic is under fire for hosting a tennis event and then testing positive during it. Photo: AFP

epa08162428 Nick Kyrgios of Australia reacts during his third round match against Karen Kachanov of Russia on day six of the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Arena in Melbourne, Australia, 25 January 2020. EPA-EFE/LUKAS COCH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

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Serbia’s Novak Djokovic kisses the trophy after winning the 2020 Australian Open. Photo: Reuters

Photo taken Oct. 6, 2019, shows Novak Djokovic of Serbia playing against John Millman of Australia in the final of the Japan Open tennis tournament in Tokyo. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Tennis


Covid-19 pandemic has brought the world together but Serbian superstar has divided tennis with PTPA
Exclusion of women from new player’s association is biggest source of criticism for breakaway group



Covid-19 pandemic has brought the world together but Serbian superstar has divided tennis with PTPA whose exclusion of women from new player’s association is biggest source of criticism.


Coronavirus pandemic: All stories

ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals)

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Opinion