Novak Djokovic had all the best intentions when founding the new Professional Tennis Players Association. While the Serb champion has managed to have a decent following, some others disagree with the initiative. Bad timing seems to be the main critique as also pointed out by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and now Daniel Evans.
The awkward locker room
During a recent interview, Evans expressed the discomfort that he has for not agreeing with the new association.
“For what it is worth I think the ATP does a great job for us and I won’t be signing the sheet of paper they want. It is very rushed, I think. It is very tough to make a decision like that on some chat over a group chat and a few emails flying around.
I think it is difficult, I actually had a conversation yesterday with someone in the changing room and then I played devil’s advocate on the ATP’s side and it wasn’t taken very well. Those people who think the union should be are set on it and, I must say, are quite passive-aggressive towards not being involved in it. It is all about having a vote but it seems that if they don’t like the vote, they don’t like you very much.”
Right or wrong, this new association is already dividing the tennis players. In theory, this was the exact opposite of the aim of it. Let’s hope a solution will be found. At the end of the day, they all want the same thing: a better place for tennis players.
Daniel Evans in 2020
Now ranked no.31, Daniel played his last match on the 24th of August when he surrendered to Milos Raonic 6-3 7-5 in the 2nd round in New York.
Daniel Evans’s most significant result of this year was getting to the semi-finals in Dubai.
Novak Djokovic in 2020
Now the world no.1, the Serbian played his last match on the 29th of August when he defeated Milos Raonic 1-6 6-3 6-4 in the final in New York to win his 80th career title.
This year Djokovic has a 23-0 win-loss record. Djokovic has won 3 titles in 2020 at the Australian Open, in Dubai and in New York.
Daniel Evans and Novak Djokovic have never played each other.
