Novak Djokovic in the Cincinnati Tournament Final against Milos Raonic, August 29, 2020. - Frank Franklin II / AP / SIPA

Novak Djokovic announced on Saturday the creation of a new association of professional male tennis players, independent of the ATP which manages the circuit, ignoring calls for "unity" from Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

“Following today's successful meeting, we are delighted to announce the establishment of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA),” the Serbian, world No. 1, wrote on Instagram, posting a photo of several dozen players gathered on a tennis court in Flushing Meadows, where the US Open will begin on Monday.

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After today's successful meeting, we are excited to announce the beginning of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA). The first player only association in tennis since 1972. #PTPA

A post shared by Novak Djokovic (@djokernole) on Aug 29, 2020 at 4:43 pm PDT

Nadal and Federer had called for "unity, not separation" when they learned that players led by Djokovic could announce the creation of a dissident association.

Vasek Pospisil, an ardent member of the ATP Players Council, a body integrated into the institution, opened fire on Friday by announcing his resignation. The Canadian then clarified on his Twitter account: “The PTPA did not emerge to fight, disrupt or cause problems inside or outside the circuit. Simply to unify the players, that our voices are heard and that we have a role in the decisions that affect our lives and our livelihood. ”

The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) did not emerge to be combative, to disrupt, or to cause any issues within or outside the tennis tour. Simply to unify the players, have our voices heard & have an impact on decisions being made that effect our lives & livelihoods

- Vasek Pospisil (@VasekPospisil) August 30, 2020

The ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals), created by players in 1972 and which has managed the men's circuit alone since 1990, also criticized this initiative, even before its materialization. "We recognize the difficulties our members face in the current circumstances, but we firmly believe that it is time to show unity, rather than internal divisions," she said.

Djokovic said he respected the position of his rivals, but wanted to be firm. “I really understand that some of them have different opinions and they don't think the time is right. I think the time has come. Legally, we have every right to form the players' association. It is not a union. We are not calling for a boycott. We are not creating a parallel circuit, ”he concluded.

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  • Novak Djokovic
  • Roger Federer
  • Rafael Nadal
  • Tennis
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