ATP Rome: Novak Djokovic - "This is not fair"
Before his first appearance at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Rome, Novak Djokovic took a stand on current events behind the scenes of the ATP. And got rid of a lot.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: May 14, 2019, 06:33 pm
By Jens Huiber from Rome
Once Novak Djokovic is in motion, hardly anyone can stop him. On the court. But also in a press conference. And as brave as the ATP representative tried to verbally capture the world number one: Djokovic had a few things on his mind at his debut press conference in Rome. That he also got rid of a journalist from the New York Times.
This journalist had reported extensively on developments in the ATP over the past week, apparently not to the taste of Novak Djokovic. The industry leader spared no one in his criticism. "I don't think it is fair of you to portray myself as making all the decisions. I am the president of the council, but that consists of ten players, ”said Djokovic, who has been assigned a major role in the non-renewal of the contract by ATP boss Chris Kermode.
Djokovic doesn't make a decision alone
"The majority decides," continued Djokovic. "I'm only one in ten. Of course I enjoy the respect of the players, for me it is a privilege to lead this group. But I can't make decisions for this group. "
Every tweet, every article on the topic would contribute to further tension. “Of course you create a story with it. that brings a whole tsunami wave against us. And what should we do? Respond to every tweet? It's just not fair. "
Djokovic responded to the demand for more transparency as follows. "I understand that you want information from me. I can give you a few. ”But not all. that would not be fair to the President of the ATP or the other members of the ATP Board.