Daria Kasatkina Criticizes Tennis Power Structures, Cites Player Disunity; Djokovic‘s Struggles Highlight Concerns
Prague – Russian tennis star Daria Kasatkina has launched a scathing critique of the decision-making processes within professional tennis, alleging a long-standing “monopoly” that prioritizes established interests over player welfare. The comments come amid renewed scrutiny of player health and well-being, highlighted by Novak Djokovic’s recent on-court illness.
Kasatkina, a veteran of over 20 years on the professional circuit, asserts that a lack of player unity exacerbates the problem, preventing meaningful change. Her statements underscore a growing frustration among athletes regarding governance and support structures within the sport, issues that have gained prominence following incidents like Djokovic visibly struggling during a recent match. The situation raises questions about the balance of power between players, governing bodies, and the demands of a grueling global tour.
“Over the past thirty-forty years,a very strong decision-making monopoly has been formed in our sport,” Kasatkina stated. “And there are people who do not want to change anything in favor of players. As someone who has been playing at the highest level for more than 20 years, I can say that players are not united.”
Kasatkina emphasized the need for individual player engagement, stating, “But you have to invest your time in it, you have to put your own energy into it. Not your agent, not your team, not your parents, no one but you. The final will not change anything.”
The criticism arrives as Djokovic was reported to have vomited on court during a recent match, prompting visible distress and sparking debate about player welfare. This incident occurred on October 6, 2025, according to reports from sport.cz.
