Novak Djokovic urges rebel break away and demands MORE prize money at Australian Open
NOVAK DJOKOVIC has called on tennis’ top players to break away and form their own union in order to earn more money from the ATP Tour.
Novak Djokovic has called on players to form a new union
Djokovic has earned just shy of £82million during his career.
But the Serb called on his fellow professionals to battle for higher financial rewards from tournaments across the year.
Djokovic was speaking at the annual player meeting at the Australian Open on Friday.
Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal were all present.
Eye witnesses are said to have been surprised when Djokovic asked all non-players to leave the meeting.
Djokovic wants players to get more money, having seen the riches stars in other sports can earn.
Novak Djokovic is preparing for his Australian Open bow
The move comes after the Australian Open pledged to boost prize money from Aus$55m to Aus$100m (£57.2m) over the next five or six years.
It is claimed Djokovic took the stage at the meeting and, after asking non-players to leave, called upon an Australian lawyer to explain the technicalities of setting up a new union.
The Daily Mail claim Gilles Simon and Alex Zverev are in favour of the move.
Novak Djokovic has won the Australian Open six times
Djokovic has earned £81.5m during his career and lives in tax-free Monaco.
The issue of equal pay between men and women during major tournaments was not on the agenda, although a break-away men’s union would certainly raise the debate.