ZCZC
BSP-07
TENNIS-OPEN-USA-DJOKOVIC-UNION
Djokovic says women to be part of new players’ association
NEW YORK, Sept 5, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Novak Djokovic said Friday that women
will be a part of his proposed new players’ association that is sending
shockwaves through world tennis.
The world number one said he had been talking to female players at the US
Open this week to try get them onboard.
“There’s been a lot of talk about this being an only men’s association and
it’s not true,” Djokovic told reporters following his 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 third
round win over Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff.
He said he hoped women would join the controversial new union “in big
numbers.”
The Serbian added that he had spoken to Serena Williams and Sloane
Stephens about the project.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal spoke out against the proposal when it was
announced at the weekend. They called for “unity, not separation.”
Djokovic says the new association is intended to bring players together to
give them a louder voice in decision-making.
He insists it would not form a rival tour to the ATP or WTA, or seek to
boycott tournaments.
The 17-time Grand Slam winner added that he was “happy” to have received
150 signatures supporting the union.
He added, though, that he had been “unpleasantly surprised” by the
reaction of some players.
BSS/AFP/SSS/0957 hrs