Cnn
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Former world n ° 1 Stan Smith tells CNN Sports It is “regrettable” that tennis seems to encounter “many of the same problems that we had 50 years ago”.
His comments come after Professional association of tennis players (PTPA)THE tennis The Association of Players co-founded by Novak Djokovic, brought several proceedings worldwide against visits and sporting organs of sport.
The proceedings allege the “monopolization” of male and female tennis and the “contempt” of the interests of the players, accusing government organizations of exploiting “as a cartel”.
The ATP and the WTA were both disagreement with the trial and said that in statements they would defend their “vigorously” positions.
“It is regrettable that you have a group of players who are part of the association of players, not only of ATP but also of WTA,” Smith told CNN. “ITF has always been the elephant that has been so powerful but trying to control the game.
“So I understand this part, but it is really unfortunate to see the players not able to solve it. Some of the things they ask have been things that have been considerably improved, on play conditions, the price is certainly increased.
“There are concerns about the amount of the price in major tournaments and that, I think, could be negotiated to some extent.
“Obviously, ITF, the Grand Slam events are those that have the most money,” adds Smith, “and players are important for these events, and these events are important for players. I hope there is a compromise in all this situation.”
Last week, the French sports point of sale reported That male and female players classified among the TOP-20s co-signed a letter to the organizers of the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open requesting a “substantial increase” of the money price.
Qinweng Zheng, the gold medalist in simple female at the Paris Olympic Games from last year, described the letter a “really positive” step in sport.
Smith, who has become an icon in the world of tennis and fashion after having an adidas sneaker names, certainly knows one thing or two about the power of the players.
In 1968, the star tennis players began to leave what was then an amateur sport and a defect in the professional circuit, which meant that they would no longer be eligible to participate in the big amateur chelem only.
However, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) finally sold after many troubles and the open era was born.
Five years later, Smith arrived in Wimbledon as a reigning champion after winning the title in 1972. It was the ultimate in his career.
Before the tournament in 1973, the Yugoslav Tennis Association was dissatisfied with its star player, Niki Pilić, after having chosen to play in the professional world championship of the double tennis final rather than representing her country in the Davis Cup.
Pilić was suspended for nine months by the tennis association of his country, which then called the Wimbledon organizers and asked that it be prohibited to compete – a request granted.
To protest, the players trained the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and 13 of the 16 heads – including the title champion Smith – withdrew Pilić.
However, with regard to recent tennis events, Smith wonders how unifying this trial will be, since many main players in the world were not involved – or even aware of this, in the case of the world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic, who was not appointed in the costume despite the co -founding of the PTPA, admitted that he agreed and does not agree with certain parts of legal action. The Serbian said that he had been “very active in tennis policy” but did not sign because he “wanted other intensive players”.
“I think a lot of this could be things that could be resolved, and some of the players like Carlos Alcaraz did not know,” said Smith, who recently wrote the book “Winning Trust” with the former professional tennis player Gary Niebur.
“So that certainly does not represent all players. In Wimbledon, we had almost all the best players to boycott.
“It was a link of the ATP at this particular moment. So I think that it is unfortunate that they are unable to solve these problems which exist and which are largely turned around the calendar. It has always been the calendar. It’s always a money price.
“It is always a price, a distribution, an allowance. And it’s funny, because these are the same problems we had 50 years ago.
“I know that Djokovic is involved. It is very ironic that it is involved in all of this, but would not be part of the costume. It does not make sense to me. There are other players who are involved, but I do not know if there is a unit of players behind all this, so it’s unfortunate.”
