Novak Djokovic was poised to make a Player Council comeback.
Diego Schwartzman confirmed Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil were nominated for spots on the ATP Player Council.
More: Aussie Summer Under Threat
World No. 1 Djokovic, John Isner, Pospisil and Sam Querrey resigned from the Council to become part of the newly formed Professional Tennis Players Association last August. Djokovic's fledging organization has gained support from top pros, and reportedly has about 200 of the Top 500 signed on.
However, Djokovic said today the ATP created a rule preventing players from being members of both the ATP Player Council and outside organizations.
The 17-time Grand Slam champion called the rule "disappointing" and said it sends a clear message: the ATP has no interest in cooperating with the Djokovic-led PTPA.
"I was saying before and I'm going to say it again: We want to collaborate with ATP, and we want to be able to potentially have a place in the ecosystem, because this is what players deserve," Djokovic told the media at the ATP Finals. "Now with this rule that has been voted on last night, that actually is a strong message from ATP that they don't want PTPA at all in the system, and they don't want any player, you know, involved in council and PTPA at the same time.
"So it's very clear. It wasn't clear from ATP before. The reason why you are not hearing much from PTPA in the last couple of months is because we have been trying to discuss with the ATP and we have actually had some conversations with them on trying to understand how we can work together, because PTPA's position was never to oppose ATP or ITF or WTA or anybody."
Schwartzman said Djokovic, Pospisil and other PTPA members aimed to return to the ATP Player Council to try to exert their voices from within the organization.
"Novak, Vasek, they want to be in the council again because is our voice in the ATP structure," Schwartzman said after his ATP Finals loss to Alexander Zverev. "But we still trying to have our association because it's different things, and we don't want to fight against ATP or the tournaments.
"No, no, we are just trying to work together and try to make tennis a better sport for everyone. Nothing else. That's why many are in the council again, because it's our voice in the ATP structure."
Djokovic and the PTPA aim to give player-only representation to the players when it comes to negotiating prize money and rule changes on tour. They plan to incorporate women into the fold, but started out focusing on men, which was viewed as a mistake by many.
The ATP announced last month that four new players have been elected to the ATP Player Council: Felix Auger-Aliassime (1-25 Singles), Jeremy Chardy (51-100 singles), John Millman (1-50 singles) and Andy Murray (At Large).
Kevin Anderson, formerly the ATP Player Council’s Vice President, will serve as its President.
Schwartzman said he believes the PTPA and ATP Player Council can coexist productively.
"I want to be clear about that. I mean, my point of view, we are not fighting against ATP," Schwartzman said. "We are not going against ATP. We are just trying to work together and have maybe a strong voice. It's just the only thing that many of the players are thinking. Many not, many not, you know."
Photo credit: Getty