Novak Djokovic, women’s world number two Ons Jabeur and six other players will form the first executive committee of the controversial Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA).
The PTPA wants to increase player power, removing it from the current bodies – the ATP and WTA.
Co-founder Vasek Pospisil will also be part of the first executive committee.
The Canadian will be joined by Hubert Hurkacz and Paula Badosa, both ranked 11th in the respective standings, the Americans John Isner and Bethanie Mattek-Sands, as well as the Chinese Zheng Saisai.
Djokovic, winner of 21 Grand Slam titles and one of the biggest names in sport, resigned as chairman of the ATP Players’ Council to lead the PTPA, an organization that has been criticized for not including originally only male players.
Djokovic said he believed the new organization and the ATP could co-exist, adding that they were “not calling for boycotts or side tours”.
He wants to give gamers a bigger voice on various topics.
In recent years, players have been jostling for a bigger share of the revenue generated by Grand Slam tournaments, in particular. The ATP and WTA currently have equal player and tournament representation.
The PTPA Executive Committee will be officially unveiled ahead of next week’s Australian Open.
“Everything indicates now that it will be a great moment for our sport,” Pospisil told Reuters.
“Every player we have there is so respected, highly regarded, intelligent. They will be huge assets and we are very lucky to have them join us.”
He added: “At the end of the day, I could see why they [current bodies] would like to keep the status quo
“It is fair and just for players to have their association like most other sports.”
Djokovic said last week he hoped more players would recognize the potential of the PTPA, adding that “this association has to live”.
A set of guiding principles is expected to be announced next week.
