Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray have all been re-elected to join a heavyweight ATP player council line up after world No 1 Novak Djokovic withdrew from his position as chairman to create a breakaway group.
Djokovic was told by the ATP that he could not sit on the player council while leading the newly-formed Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA).
The Serbian was unhappy with the amount of power players have on things such as prize money so he created an individual body to stand up for his fellow stars.
However, many of the game’s biggest names, such as Federer, Nadal and Murray, have refused to back Djokovic.
The feud has been rumbling on behind the scenes for many weeks and looks set to divide the ATP tour.
As things stand, player council members negotiate with their tournament council counterparts and the ATP’s board of directors.
Federer and Nadal only rejoined the player council last year because they were concerned with the direction Djokovic heading in.
The Swiss and Spaniard, alongside Felix Auger-Aliassime, John Millman, Kevin Anderson, Bruno Soares and Murray, have all been re-elected.
In addition, Gilles Simon returns for a second term, while Pablo Andujar and Marcus Daniell will sit for the first time.
ATP player council line up
- 1-50 Singles: Felix Auger-Aliassime, Roger Federer, John Millman, Rafael Nadal
- 51-100 Singles: Pablo Andujar, Gilles Simon
- 1-100 Doubles: Marcus Daniell, Bruno Soares
- At-Large: Kevin Anderson, Andy Murray
- Alumni Representative: Colin Dowdeswell
- Coach Representative: Daniel Vallverdu
After forming a breakaway group and securing over 200 signatures, Djokovic explained how he did not want to create any “conflict” on the ATP tour.
“I do not wish to create conflict or uncertainty around the player elections or create any issues that may arise,” the 17-time Grand Slam winner said.
“This new rule specifies that all members of the newly formed Professional Tennis Players’ Association or any association that is deemed as having a ‘conflict of interest’ cannot be elected as a member of the Players Council.
“As you know, I am part of the PTPA, an organisation that was recently created with no intention of being in conflict with the ATP.
“The PTPA has yet to be structured with the strategy and long term vision yet to be clearly defined, and although the PTPA has made it clear it does not intend to be combative, it is unclear how the ATP will view the association in the future.
“Unfortunately, given these latest developments I feel it is now necessary to remove myself from the list of candidates.
“I do not wish to create conflict or uncertainty around the player elections or create any issues that may arise. I do this reluctantly and with a heavy heart.”
The new ATP player council will hold a meeting in the new year, where the president and vice president will be elected.