"Novak Djokovic is not done winning Grand Slams" - Serb-backed PTPA's executive director on being inspired by him
Ahmad Nassar, the CEO of the Novak Djokovic-led Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has expressed how the Serb is an inspiration for him. According to Nassar, the Serb will go on to add to his Grand Slam title tally, despite his relatively shortcomings his year.
The former World No. 1 collaborated with Canadian Vasek Pospisil to create the PTPA back in 2019. The aim of the blossoming players association is primarily to work alongside the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and the Grand Slams to ensure as much of a level-playing field as possible in professional tennis.
Right now, there is a significant disparity between the lives of elite and lower-ranked players. One of the PTPA's main goals is to reduce this gap and ensure that lower-ranked players can also continue playing instead of giving up professional tennis because of financial reasons. The PTPA also strives to represent player interests when it comes to tennis scheduling and access to legal representation when necessary.
Recently, the CEO of the Novak Djokovic-backed PTPA, Ahmad Nassar, in an interview with Ubitennis, talked about the time it may take for the PTPA to become a fully-established association. As things stand, the PTPA is taking a stand on various issues plaguing contemporary tennis, but is not being able to make significant changes because of its limited influence.
Nassar cited the examples of the respective player associations of the NBA and the NFL to suggest that it will take time for the PTPA to grow further in stature and importance.
"It’s not immediate. The NFLPA is 60, 70 years old. The NFL and the MLBPA are of a similar age. I’m quite certain it’ll take less than that but it’s always a process. Those players associations that I cited have been around for decades, they would tell you and their members their work is not done. So you’re never really done. It’s a reflection of the athletes we represent," Nassar told Ubitennis.
The PTPA CEO went on to talk about how former World No. 1 and 24-time Major winner Novak Djokovic is an inspiration to not only him but also the rest of the organization's members.
"Novak Djokovic is not done winning Grand Slams. He wants to win another one. And that’s the inspiration for us," Nassar added.
Earlier this year, the former World No. 1 himself spoke up about his hunger to keep pushing for more Major titles, despite enduring an underwhelming 2024 season so far.
"National team and Grand Slams" - Novak Djokovic on future "priorities"
After his dominant 6-0, 6-1 win over Greece's Ioannis Xilas in the Davis Cup group stage qualifiers in September, Novak Djokovic bluntly stated that his only priorities heading into the future are representing Serbia at international tennis events and the Majors.
"I am not chasing a place on the ATP list, nor the Final Masters. Those are not my goals, honestly. As for me, I finished my career in other tournaments. I don't know if I will play them in the future or this year. My priorities are playing for the national team and grand slams, everything else is less important," Djokovic said.
While the Serb won three out of the four Majors in 2023, he was unable to win one in 2024, with this year's Grand Slam spoils being shared among Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. The former World No. 1 recently also confirmed that he will not be playing at the 2024 Rolex Paris Masters, a tournament he has won a on a record seven occasions.