McEnroe: 'Nadal and Federer Were Surprised by Djokovic's PTPA Exit'

Djokovic's Shock PTPA Departure Sends Shockwaves Through Tennis World, Surprising McEnroe, Nadal, and Federer

© AFP

Arthur Millot

le 19/01/2026 à 11h56

1 min to read

Djokovic Novak Federer Roger McEnroe John Nadal Rafael

Novak Djokovic is not only one of the greatest champions in tennis history.

For several years, he has also established himself as an influential voice off the court, advocating for players' interests and calling for deep reforms to the system.

So it's an understatement to say that his decision to leave the PTPA (Professional Tennis Players Association) came as a surprise.

As the originator of this ambitious project aimed at better representing players against traditional governing bodies, Djokovic seemed convinced that this initiative could permanently change the balance of power in global tennis.

But ahead of the Australian Open, the Serb has chosen to turn the page.

McEnroe: 'It Came Practically Out of Nowhere'

Among the first reactions, John McEnroe's did not go unnoticed.

The American former legend, now a consultant, summed up the general feeling in a few words:

'It came practically out of nowhere. I don't even know if it's a union or an association, and the difference between the two terms is huge. All this mainly shows that the players are too divided.'

Nadal and Federer Also Surprised

According to McEnroe, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer were also surprised by this sudden withdrawal.

A detail far from trivial. The three biggest figures of modern tennis thus find themselves, indirectly, at the heart of the same question: can the system really evolve?