The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), led by the illustrious Novak Djokovic, is expanding its ranks with the inclusion of former tennis stars, namely Kim Clijsters, Sania Mirza, and Marcos Baghdatis. This move reinforces the PTPA’s commitment to championing the interests of tennis players while addressing the shortcomings within the existing framework managed by the ATP, WTA, and ITF.
Founded in 2019 by Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil of Canada, the PTPA has steadily grown, with renowned players like Paula Badosa, Ons Jabeur, and Hubert Hurkacz already counted among its members. Now, the association is making significant additions to its leadership with the induction of Clijsters, Mirza, and Baghdatis into prominent roles. Follow the best tennis game ever with attractive betting odds from Nextbet.
Former World No. 1 Kim Clijsters joins as a ‘Board of Champions’ member, bringing her wealth of experience to the organization. With three US Open titles and an Australian Open singles championship to her name, Clijsters’ impressive career also includes victories in doubles at Wimbledon and the French Open. Although she retired last year, her dedication to the sport endures.
Sania Mirza, another accomplished former player, assumes a similar role within the PTPA. Mirza boasts an impressive six Grand Slam titles, including victories at Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open in doubles, as well as triumphs in mixed doubles at the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open. Despite her retirement from tennis earlier this year, her commitment to the sport’s betterment remains unwavering.
Former World No. 8 Marcos Baghdatis takes on the responsibility of serving as the PTPA’s ambassador. His memorable journey in professional tennis includes a thrilling appearance in the 2006 Australian Open final against Roger Federer.
Novak Djokovic, the driving force behind the PTPA, recently issued a compelling call to his fellow professionals to join the association. In a video shared by the organization, Djokovic urged players to recognize the PTPA’s significance, emphasizing the historic nature of its establishment:
“It has been a quest for 20-plus years for different generations of players…But now we have it, and I invite all the players to recognize it.”
Djokovic extended a particularly compelling message to the younger generation, encouraging them to embrace this transformative opportunity:
“Especially with the younger generations, they don’t want to risk too much…But by supporting PTPA, you’re actually supporting yourself. You’re supporting your future.”
Furthermore, Djokovic addressed concerns about potential legal ramifications for players aligning with the PTPA, clarifying that such concerns are unfounded:
“The biggest concern for the players is if they sign up and support PTPA, they’ll have issues legally with ATP and WTA…that’s not the case.”
As the PTPA continues to gather momentum and reinforce its mission to empower tennis players, the additions of Kim Clijsters, Sania Mirza, and Marcos Baghdatis signal a new era of collaboration and advocacy within the sport, furthering the interests of tennis professionals across the globe. Get the latest updates from the world of tennis only on Nextbet Sports.
