In a dramatic and unexpected development that has rocked the professional tennis world, PTPA co-founder Vasek Pospisil has expressed shock and disappointment over recent comments made by Novak Djokovic concerning an ongoing lawsuit — comments that Pospisil has described as nothing short of a betrayal.

The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), co-founded in 2020 by Djokovic and Pospisil as a movement to give players greater voice and representation in the governance of tennis, is now facing internal turmoil. At the center of the storm is a legal case filed by a group of former stakeholders against the association regarding alleged financial mismanagement and conflicts of interest.

In a press conference earlier this week, Novak Djokovic appeared to distance himself from the legal drama, stating, “I was never fully involved in those specific financial decisions. I support the mission of the PTPA, but there are some actions that were taken without my full knowledge or approval.”

The comments sent shockwaves through the tennis community, but perhaps no one was more surprised than Pospisil, who responded within hours in a visibly emotional interview.
“I’ve always stood by Novak,” he said. “We built the PTPA together from the ground up, and everything we’ve done, we did with transparency and trust. To hear him speak like that, as if he was unaware or uninvolved, it felt like a betrayal.”

A United Front… Until Now?

For years, Djokovic and Pospisil have stood side by side, often in opposition to tennis governing bodies like the ATP and ITF. The PTPA was created as an independent organization aiming to represent the interests of players, something many felt the ATP lacked.

The pair gained widespread attention in 2020 when they stepped away from the ATP Player Council to launch the PTPA, drawing both praise and criticism from across the tennis landscape. For players outside the top 20, the PTPA offered hope for better prize money distribution, scheduling transparency, and improved player welfare.

But behind the scenes, tensions had reportedly been brewing. According to anonymous sources close to the organization, disagreements had been mounting for months over financial strategies, partnerships, and communication with media and sponsors.

“It was bound to explode,” one source said. “They started with a shared vision, but it seems like their definitions of leadership and responsibility have slowly diverged.”

Legal Trouble Sparks Public Rift

The ongoing lawsuit, filed by two former advisory members and one ex-investor, accuses the PTPA leadership of failing to disclose key financial decisions and allegedly misusing funds intended for grassroots player support. The suit has named both Djokovic and Pospisil, among others.

Djokovic’s recent public comments now seem to suggest he may attempt to legally separate himself from some of those decisions — a move that legal analysts say could be aimed at protecting his public image and shielding himself from liability.

“Novak is the face of the PTPA, and naturally, any scandal can impact his legacy,” said sports attorney Clara Reynolds. “He may feel the need to clarify his role or downplay his involvement, especially if legal proceedings move forward.”

Pospisil Fires Back

However, Pospisil appears unwilling to let Djokovic wash his hands of the controversy.
“There were no hidden deals,” Pospisil said. “Everything we did, we did together. I never expected Novak, of all people, to imply otherwise. This hurts not just me personally, but also the credibility of what we built together.”

When asked whether this marks the end of their professional relationship, Pospisil paused and said, “I hope not. But right now, I need to focus on the truth, not on optics. The players deserve that.”

Tennis World Reacts

The tennis community has been abuzz with reactions. Some fans are siding with Pospisil, viewing Djokovic’s move as an act of self-preservation at the expense of his co-founder. Others believe Djokovic has every right to clarify his legal position.

Even among ATP players, the split has reignited debates about the PTPA’s leadership and future.

“This kind of drama just proves how hard it is to run a players’ union without full unity,” said a top-30 player who wished to remain anonymous. “If they can’t keep it together, how can we trust them to represent us?”

What’s Next for the PTPA?

With lawsuits pending and its founding duo at odds, the PTPA faces a critical crossroads. Will Djokovic and Pospisil reconcile and re-establish unity, or will this public fallout be the beginning of the end for the players’ movement?

As of now, neither has confirmed whether they will continue to lead the organization side-by-side. What is certain is that the once-solid bond between the two tennis warriors has been deeply shaken — and the entire tennis world is watching closely.