Novak Djokovic has said that one of the biggest misconceptions about him is that his public actions are driven by personal gain. Speaking during a French Open interview with Quotidien, the Serbian star said many people have wrongly interpreted his intentions throughout his career. He described himself as “a man like everyone else” who feels emotions and can be hurt when his words or actions are misread.
Djokovic also revisited the Professional Tennis Players Association, or PTPA, the players’ organization he helped launch in 2020 with Vasek Pospisil. He said the project was created to help professional tennis players who do not enjoy the same opportunities as the sport’s top names and to give players a stronger voice in tennis governance. According to Djokovic, that mission was often misunderstood. He said the focus was never personal but intended to improve conditions across the sport and widen access to better support for more players.
The PTPA became more controversial in March 2025, when it filed legal action against the ATP Tour and WTA Tour. The group accused the governing bodies of anti-competitive behavior and ignoring player welfare. The ATP and WTA rejected those claims and said they would defend their positions. Djokovic later admitted that his view of the project had changed over time and said he no longer felt the mission was as clear as it had been when the organization began.
He also revealed that he stepped back from the PTPA because he felt his name was being overused and because he disagreed with the direction of its leadership. Djokovic said many people came to view the group as his personal organization, which he insisted was never the case. He added that he had invested significant energy into the initiative but was frustrated by the level of player involvement at important moments such as negotiations and decisions.
The interview again highlighted a theme that has followed Djokovic for years: the sense that he is often misunderstood within tennis. Former Roland Garros finalist Àlex Corretja previously defended him, saying Djokovic’s personality and emotional style on court are often judged differently from those of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Corretja argued that Djokovic deserves credit for what he has contributed both on and off the court.
Djokovic’s comments come as he continues his French Open campaign and pursues a record 25th Grand Slam title. At 39, he remains one of the central figures in tennis, and his run in Paris has once again placed him under the spotlight, both for his achievements and for the ongoing debate around his role in shaping the sport.
