“I am watching from the side”: Novak Djokovic breaks silence on tennis boycott discussion

Novak Djokovic addressed the growing discussion around a potential boycott of Grand Slam tournaments for the first time in Rome, responding to questions about ongoing tensions between players, ATP/WTA leadership, and the governing bodies of tennis.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion was asked about the debate that has gained traction during the build-up to the French Open and beyond.

Djokovic, who has previously been central to disputes over prize money distribution and governance reform, positioned himself in support of player concerns but stressed he is no longer directly involved in formal discussions. The Serb was a co-founder of the Professional Tennis Players Association alongside Vasek Pospisil, created to increase player representation in tennis governance.

The former world No. 1 has been a long-standing advocate for a more balanced distribution of prize money and influence within the sport, having also served as president of the ATP Player Council earlier in his career.

His intervention comes amid increasing public debate around prize money distribution at Grand Slams, with players across ATP and WTA circuits expressing frustration over governance structures and revenue allocation.

Djokovic made clear that his position on player representation has not changed, reiterating long-standing views about structural imbalance in tennis governance. While he avoided direct involvement in current negotiations, he emphasised continued support for players advocating for systemic change.

He referenced his previous leadership roles and long-standing involvement in attempts to reform player representation within tennis institutions, noting that his stance on prize money and governance has remained consistent over time.

“I think you’ve been around the tour long enough to I think remember the times when I was a president of the [ATP] council, when I was also forming PTPA. So you guys know my position on that. I’ve said it many times. I don’t need to talk about that too long.”

Djokovic also expressed support for newer player leadership figures emerging within the tour, referencing the increasing visibility of top-ranked players taking active positions in governance discussions. He pointed to what he described as a broader willingness among current leaders to engage with structural issues affecting the sport.

“Players know that they’ll always have my support, and that’s all," the former world No. 1 added. "The new generations are coming up. I’m glad that there is willingness from the leaders of our sport, like Sabalenka, to really step up and really understand the dynamics of how the tennis politics works and understand the nuances and really what needs to be done not only for her benefit and well-being, but for everyone.”

While reaffirming alignment with player concerns, Djokovic clarified that he is not directly involved in ongoing discussions regarding prize money distribution or potential collective action, including boycott-related conversations. His role, he indicated, is now observational rather than operational.

He acknowledged that tensions within tennis governance often stem from competing interests between players, tournaments, and governing bodies, a structural issue he believes remains unresolved despite long-standing debate within the sport. “I am watching more from the side, to be honest. I haven’t been part of those meetings and conversations.”

He also underlined that conflicts of interest remain a persistent feature of tennis governance, and suggested that players collectively hold the strongest leverage within the system when unified in their position.

“Unfortunately oftentimes there is a conflict of interest that some people don’t want to address. I think that’s where the players really have the power. I’m always supportive of the stronger player position in the ecosystem.”

Djokovic concluded by reaffirming his broader philosophy on the sport’s structure, emphasising that both players and institutions share responsibility in elevating tennis, despite recurring disagreements over distribution of power and resources. “We’re all part of the same sport. We all try to elevate the game, whether it’s players, tournaments, governing bodies.”