ATP accused of 'lacking leadership' after silence on Djokovic debacle

January 10, 2022

ATP Tennis Players, Australian Open, Novak Djokovic, Tennis News

ATP accused of ‘lacking leadership’ after silence on Novak Djokovic Australian Open medical exemption saga

Vasek Pospisil has slammed the ATP for remaining silent on the Novak Djokovic deportation saga, with Pospisil accusing the body of “not caring about players.”

Last week, 20-time Grand Slam ace Djokovic set off for Australia after revealing he had been granted a medical exemption.

However, the World number one was detained in an immigration hotel over the weekend after his medical exemption was deemed insufficient and his visa was cancelled.

As he faced deportation, an injunction allowed allowed Djokovic to stay in Australia as he fought the decision in court. The court ultimately ruled in Djokovic’s favour and the Serbian icon now looks focussed on winning a record-breaking 21st Slam title at this year’s ‘Happy Slam.’

Whilst the situation seems to have reached a resolution, Canadian Vasek Pospisil has criticised the ATP for their silence on the matter, especially when it regards their current number one player.

Pospisil and Djokovic share a friendly relationship and as such co-founded the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) together. The PTPA was established to represent singles players within the top 500 and doubles players in the top 200 within the ATP and WTA world rankings.

In a Twitter post, Pospisil said “the silence from the ATP Tour on the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic and other players is deafening.

“Regardless of your view on the situation in Australia with Novak and the other players, notice how the ATP is silent. Not even a simple statement after four days.

“They’ve already shown repeatedly that they do not care about the players; now they’re also showing a complete lack of leadership when faced with real issues.”

The silence from the @atptour on the @AustralianOpen, @DjokerNole & other players is deafening. @ptpaplayers pic.twitter.com/1JebREfzP3

— Vasek Pospisil (@VasekPospisil) January 8, 2022