94 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

Days after Novak Djokovic left with strange accusations, PTPA begins works on shocking rival tour that could break tennis world

 

https://www.sportske...ak-tennis-world

[dasmo]

What were the strange accusations? Article didn’t deliver… click bait.

[Victoria Watcher]

What were the strange accusations? Article didn’t deliver… click bait.

 

 

 

After careful consideration, I have decided to step away completely from the Professional Tennis Players Association. This decision comes after ongoing concerns regarding transparency, governance, and the way my voice and image have been represented.

 

I am proud of the vision that Vasek and I shared when founding the PTPA, giving players a stronger, independent voice - but it has become clear that my values and approach are no longer aligned with the current direction of the organization.

 

 

 

The strange accusations presumably are that he thought there was transparecy issues, governance issues and issues with the way his name an image had been used.  And that his values did not align anymore.   

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 29 January 2026 - 07:09 AM.

[dasmo]

Ya, that’s not answering what the “strange allegations” were. Hate click bait like that. It got me, so it works.

[Victoria Watcher]

Maybe "unexplained accusations" might have been better.

 

It just seems to me the organization wants to create a new league or circuit and Djocovic didn't think that was what he started it for.

 

It's interesting that the new league wants to embed a minimum salary of $1M for the top 100 players.  I'm not sure that type of coverage exists today.

 

 

EDT, AI:

 

No, men's professional tennis (governed by the ATP Tour) does not have a traditional "minimum salary" like in team sports (e.g., a fixed paycheck from an employer). Players are independent contractors who earn primarily through prize money from tournaments, plus sponsorships, appearance fees (for top players), and other income sources. There is no guaranteed base salary paid by the ATP or tournaments regardless of performance or ranking.However, since 2024, the ATP has implemented the Baseline program (a three-year trial initiative) that provides guaranteed minimum earnings for singles players ranked in the top 250 at the end of the previous year. If their on-court prize money falls short of set thresholds, the ATP tops up the difference to meet the guarantee (subject to conditions like playing a minimum number of events).Key details on the Baseline minimum guarantees (focused on the Minimum Guarantee pillar):

• For 2024 (initial year): $300,000 (Top 100), $150,000 (101-175), $75,000 (176-250).
• For 2025: $300,000 (Top 100, unchanged), $200,000 (101-175), $100,000 (176-250). This effectively ensured a minimum of $100,000 for all Top 250 players from the prior year (if they met participation requirements, e.g., 15 events).
• The program continued into 2026, with over $2 million distributed in 2025 support.

In its first year (2024), the ATP paid out $1.3 million total to 26 players across Baseline pillars (including minimum top-ups, injury protection, and support for newcomers to the rankings).

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 29 January 2026 - 07:32 AM.

[dasmo]

That’s so much more informative. I guess the article wanted to get at the gossip angle as to why he is stepping back. Couldn’t find out so just made the headline more salacious.

I am curious what direction the organization is taking that would make him step back. It sounds like a worthy org.

[Victoria Watcher]

[dasmo]

An impressive sportsman. An inspiration.

[Victoria Watcher]

AI:

 

[dasmo]

Wow

[UDeMan]

Such an amazing athlete and person. And he doesn't care what people think or say about him. He just does his thing.

[m3m]

He’s super lucky. He was down two sets to Musetti in the quarterfinals and was getting thoroughly dominated.

Tennis is in a really good spot these days. Lots of good young stars and some really competitive and compelling tournaments in the last couple years. Both men’s and women’s.

Probably a resurgence in popularity following that Challengers movie

[Victoria Watcher]

Elena Rybakina stuns Aryna Sabalenka to win Australian Open 2026 final: Live updates and reaction

 

Follow live reaction after Rybakina survived a Sabalenka fightback to win her second Grand Slam title

https://www.nytimes....t/9rGWqF9cfrGD/

 

 

A Sabalenka story in four chapters

A run of four successive women’s singles finals here at the Australian Open began in 2023 when she beat Elena Rybakina.

She won the 2024 final too, before losing to Madison Keys last year.

And now a full circle moment, as she loses to Rybakina.

Aryna Sabalenka doesn’t strike me as the sort of person who will like a record of two out of two, slipping to two from four.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 31 January 2026 - 03:13 AM.

[aastra]

We can add tennis courts to the oft-cited but always ambiguous "most per capita" file:

 

 

Times-Colonist

July 21, 1989

 

Tennis court atop Strathcona Hotel wins approval from Victoria aldermen

 

Victoria has more tennis courts per capita than almost any other city in Canada, and it will soon have its first rooftop court.

[Victoria Watcher]

So I managed to work up a free VPN and watched the tennis online this morning. Good match.

Nice speeches afterwards from both men.

They both acknowledged Nadal in the stands, with an extensive bit, which was very nice.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 01 February 2026 - 11:27 AM.