Novak Djokovic cancels Roger Federer and prefers to play in Saudi Arabia

Novak Djokovic told co-organizer Roger Federer that he would not be taking part in the Laver Cup.Image: keystone

As is usually the case, Novak Djokovic, the most successful male tennis player in history, is missing from the Laver Cup initiated by Roger Federer. The reason for this is a noble one – but at the same time the Serb is playing exhibition matches in Sofia and Saudi Arabia.

18.09.2024, 18:1618.09.2024, 21:56

Simon Häring / ch media

The Laver Cup is intended to be a tribute to the icons of tennis history, to Rod Laver, the namesake, and to Björn Borg and John McEnroe, the captains. At the same time, it is intended to bring together the best of the present and the faces of the future of the sport. This has been Roger Federer’s vision since he founded and co-organized the continental competition in 2017.

The format, in which six players compete for Europe against a world selection, is popular with spectators and sponsors. Whether in Prague, Chicago, Geneva, Boston, London or most recently in Vancouver – the stadiums were always well filled, despite the sometimes horrendous ticket prices. That will also be the case in Berlin, where the seventh Laver Cup will take place between Friday and Sunday. But as is usually the case, one person is missing: Novak Djokovic.

24 Grand Slam titles, 99 tournament victories, 428 weeks at the top of the world rankings, and most recently individual gold at the Olympic Games in Paris. The Serb is the most successful male tennis player in history. And Djokovic is still one of the best today.

The three players with the highest rankings after Wimbledon are qualified for the Laver Cup. Djokovic was one of them. Nevertheless, participation was never an option for him. As is almost always the case. He was only in Chicago in 2018 and in London in 2022. Missing Roger Federer’s big farewell was out of the question and would have blown up in his face.

Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal (from left) saying goodbye to Roger Federer (2nd from left) in September 2022.Image: keystone

$250,000 prize money for winner

The Laver Cup attracts with its unique atmosphere, but above all with a lot of money. In addition to the three players who qualify based on their ranking in the world rankings, three others are invited by the respective captains. They receive a secret entry fee, which in Djokovic’s case is likely to be in the seven-figure range. There is also $250,000 in prize money per player for victory.

It is standard in tennis that players qualify for an event via the world rankings, but the format and invitations give the Laver Cup a particularly exclusive character. And that is precisely why Novak Djokovic is critical of the continental competition and avoids it.

Is not a fan of the Laver Cup: Novak Djokovic.Image: keystone

Fight for more justice

For years, Novak Djokovic has been a member of the ATP Players’ Council, campaigning for players to participate more in the enormous revenue generated by tournaments. He also calls for stricter regulation of sports betting. The core of his demands was and is a fairer distribution of prize money, from which less highly ranked players should also benefit. With the aim of allowing more people to make a living from tennis.

Whether the Laver Cup has the opposite effect is debatable. What is certain is that it does not serve Djokovic’s interests because it favors an exclusive circle and also deprives tennis of valuable sponsorship money.

To counteract developments like these, Novak Djokovic founded the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) five years ago. An association that aims to give all athletes better access to medical services, offers advice on preventive care or travel, and is intended to be a contact point for mental health problems.

Novak Djokovic is critical of the distribution of funds in the tennis circus.Image: keystone

“I have influence and power and I want to work for better conditions,” said Djokovic at the foundation. People talk too often about how many millions the winners of a Grand Slam tournament receive, but far too little about how few players can make a living from tennis.

This is also why Novak Djokovic is not currently in Berlin for the Laver Cup, but enjoyed an exhibition match with Grigor Dimitrov in Bulgaria’s capital Sofia. He was seen there laughing and dancing, singing and stripping. The proceeds go to the Bulgarian’s foundation, which supports socially disadvantaged children and adults in his homeland.

Generous entry fee in Saudi Arabia

Djokovic announced that there will be more such appearances in the future. He will therefore be competing in fewer tournaments. “For the first time in my life, I have no long-term plans and am simply living in the moment,” said the father of two. It is not his goal to qualify for the final of the eight best of the year in Turin (November 10th to 17th) at all costs. After a mixed season, Djokovic is only in ninth place.

Novak Djokovic is unlikely to compete in the Laver Cup, which will take place in San Francisco next year, for the foreseeable future. But he is not entirely altruistic or consistent either: after the Masters tournament in Shanghai, he will compete in the Six Kings Slam (October 16 to 19).

Apart from the Olympic victory, Djokovic had a mixed season.Image: keystone

In addition to Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune will also compete at the exhibition tournament in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh. Their appearance alone will be rewarded with 1.5 million Swiss francs, and the winner will receive six million.

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source: photopress archive / str