Roddick, critical of Djokovic's complaints: "You talk about a monopoly, but what monopoly are you referring to?"

Carlos Navarro | 22 Oct 2025 | 15.27

Roddick and Djokovic Have Opposing Views on Growth in the Tennis World. Source: Getty.

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The open war against the calendar and the ATP circuit continues to be a subject of debate and discussion in the tennis ecosystem. The arrival of the two-week Masters 1000 tournaments has had a direct impact on the 2025 season's end, with two top-15 players out of action for the indoor hard-court swing and many others arriving cautiously. Names like Jack Draper or Novak Djokovic have expressed the underlying discontent, with Djokovic calling for greater organization among players to fight for their rights... facing some opposition in this regard.

It has been Andy Roddick who has taken on the role of counterpoint to Novak Djokovic's requests for greater unity among players, advocating for actions beyond social media statements or unproductive complaints. As both the President of the Players' Council and the founder of the PTPA, Djokovic has been extensively involved in advocating for better prize money distribution and prioritizing player welfare over tournaments' interests. However, some criticize his approach, with the latest being the American Roddick.

Roddick voiced his concerns in his podcast, SERVED, questioning the ambiguity in Djokovic's statements and advising against becoming a spokesperson, particularly concerning player health. He pondered, "When he talks about monopoly, what exactly does he mean: the monopoly of the circuit? The Grand Slams monopoly? All of that at once? He mentions the 'system.' Which specific system is he referring to? He speaks of 'monopoly,' but, a monopoly of what?" Roddick acknowledged Djokovic's good intentions but expressed reservations about his approach.

"To be frank, I think Novak has very good intentions. The players and the locker room, in general, adore him and recognize him as a true leader in this sport. However, if he wants to voice certain things, let's speak the truth. This issue has been going around for a long time. Yes, I believe there should be a players' union, but I think it's the players who should decide who represents them. You can't create a union and claim to represent everyone; that's not how it works, and certainly it hasn't worked that way for the PTPA," the American concluded.

PTPA, ATP, calendar, and an open war on multiple fronts

The ongoing conflicts within the tennis circuit are of significant concern. The top-10 players in both the men's and women's rankings have seemingly issued an official statement to the Grand Slams urging changes for their well-being: improved prize money distribution, greater decision-making power affecting their health (such as extending major tournaments by a day), and the establishment of a pension fund for the future.

Furthermore, the PTPA's demand directed at the ATP and now the Grand Slams, challenging the tennis system as a monopoly and seeking an agreement to empower players in essential circuit matters, all in a climate where the industry eyes the PTPA with suspicion. These ongoing tensions could potentially reshape tennis in the medium term.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Roddick, crítico con las quejas de Djokovic: "Hablas de un monopolio, pero, ¿a qué monopolio te refieres?"