Novak Djokovic Says No Arduous Emotions Over Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal Union Snub | Tennis Information

Novak Djokovic mentioned Wednesday he held no animosity in the direction of rival stars Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal after they snubbed his call for the formation of a new players’ association. Nadal and Federer referred to as for “unity, not separation” after Djokovic revealed on the weekend that he was spearheading a controversial breakaway union for skilled male gamers. “I respect, after all, utterly their selection that they do not need to be concerned in it in the intervening time,” mentioned Djokovic after progressing to the US Open third round.

“They do not suppose it is the best time. That is advantageous. That is their opinion. I disagree with that.”

Djokovic mentioned his thought was not a brand new one and that he was simply “following up on what the earlier generations have tried to do.”

“For a gamers’ affiliation, it is all the time the best time, and it has been the best time for the final 20 years. By some means it was by no means actually achieved, by no means actually realized. Proper now it’s. We’re transferring ahead,” he added.

Djokovic recovered from a set all the way down to defeat Britain’s Kyle Edmund 6-7 (5/7), 6-Three, 6-Four, 6-2 within the second spherical of the US Open Wednesday.

He mentioned it had “not been simple” coping with the storm attributable to his announcement throughout his bid for an 18th Grand Slam.

However he additionally insisted the brand new affiliation wouldn’t kind a rival tour to the ATP or boycott tournaments.

It’s meant as a “platform” to provide gamers a louder voice, Djokovic defined.

“We now have highest of intentions for gamers. I imply, that is solely factor we’ve. We do not need to struggle anybody. We do not need to struggle for existence with ATP, ITF (Worldwide Tennis Federation), or every other governing physique.

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“I feel there’s a place for gamers affiliation. There all the time has been a spot for gamers affiliation,” he added.

“It is simply that proper now clearly there are people who simply don’t need that to occur as a result of there is a sure structural system in place that has been defending them. I perceive that. That is advantageous.”