'Absolute nonsense': Novak Djokovic slapped down over tennis furore

Former World No.7 Jurgen Melzer has labelled Novak Djokovic’s claim he was rejected from the ATP Players Council as ‘absolute nonsense’.

Djokovic caused division in the tennis world only days before the US Open after announcing he was forming a breakaway Professional Tennis Players Association with Canada’s Vasek Pospisil.

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Both Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal opposed the move and called for calm during the coronavirus pandemic, which had already brought a halt to the tennis schedule for months.

Many stars opposed the breakaway group from the ATP Player Council and are still yet to sign up.

More recently, Djokovic hit out at the ATP after Pospisil and himself were nominated to return to the ATP Council.

But in a further twist, Djokovic claimed the player council blocked his return after a vote.

However, Melzer has labelled this claim as “nonsense” and said these rules were long withstanding.

"Novak Djokovic talks about the fact that certain regulations were put in place, overnight, so that no one from the PTPA was allowed to participate in the council," Melzer said to French website WeLoveTennis.

"This is absolute nonsense. These statutes have been in existence since 2006."

Melzer said it appears “impossible” for two players associations to co-exist in the tennis world.

"It seems quite logical to me that it is impossible to be in two associations which are 'concurrent'," Melzer added.

"So I am surprised that Djokovic is surprised.”

Djokovic hits out at ATP

In a further twist after announcing he had been nominated to return to the ATP Council, the player claimed his return was blocked.

“The rule by ATP board was voted on last night, which basically doesn't allow any active player to be part of the council and any other organisation in the tennis ecosystem, which is disappointing, to be honest, because I have not been approached by anybody from ATP on that matter,” Djokovic said.

Djokovic was clear the PTPA would have to consider its “next move” after his ban from rejoining, which could signal further repercussions in the tennis world.

“Now we know where we stand. So then we obviously have to consider other strategic, I would say, positions and we have to consider our next move in a different way,” he added.

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