Novak Djokovic has always been keen on defending the rights of tennis players and for this reason, he decided that to found the so-called PTPA (Professional Tennis Players Association).
The WTA has recently announced that it will stop all its tournaments in China after Shuai Peng was silenced and censured after accusing a former vice-president of sexual abuse.
The PTPA also released a strong statement in support of the WTA as follows:
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) supports the WTA and respects its decision to suspend all WTA tournaments in China, including Hong Kong. The health, welfare, and safety of the players is our number one priority.
All players should know that they have the full backing of the PTPA, fellow players, governing bodies, and stakeholders – to freely speak out about sexual assault and/or harassment. Collectively, there should be zero tolerance and serious consequences, for people, entities, or countries, who censor, intimidate, or retaliate against Individuals who have the courage to come forward and speak their truth.
In unity with the WTA, we request credible and verifiable evidence that Peng Shual is safe and free from coercion and intimidation. We believe in the WTA’s call for “a full and transparent investigation – without censorship – into Peng Shuai’s sexual assault accusation.”
While there are wonderful people in China and Hong Kong who support our players and the great sport of tennis, the global outcry to China’s leaders regarding Peng Shuai has gone unanswered. We need a rightful response to address these issues.
We respectfully call on the world to take positive action to ensure that Peng Shuai, and all players, can safely address important issues such as sexual assault without retribution. We all share the common goal to see the players safely return to China and Hong Kong to play the game they love.
PTPA
#CREATEDBYTHEPLAYERS
FORTHEPLAYERS
Please use your voice to support the WTA and the players.
Novak Djokovic in 2021
Currently the world no.1, the Serbian played his last match on the 1st of December when he overcame world no.36 Alexander Bublik 6-3 6-4 in the Rubber 2 of the Davis Cup (draw).
This season the Serbian has achieved a compiled 54-7 win-loss record. Novak has won 5 titles in 2021 at the Australian Open, in Belgrade, at the French Open, in Wimbledon and in Paris. Novak got to the final in Rome and at the U.S. Open.
Novak Djokovic |
| Embed from Getty Images |
