NOVAK DJOKOVIC, THE MURRAY BROTHERS, & A HEAP OF DOUBLES PLAYERS ARE NOW ON THE ATP MEN’S TENNIS BOARD, LONG LIVE DOUBLES!

Written by: Staff on 27th June 2016

NOVAK DJOKOVIC, THE MURRAY BROTHERS, & A HEAP OF DOUBLES PLAYERS ARE NOW ON THE ATP MEN'S TENNIS BOARD, LONG LIVE DOUBLES!

epa05394316 Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns to Britain's James Ward in their first round match of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 27 June 2016. EPA/GERRY PENNY EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO COMMERCIAL SALES |

Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, the world’s leading two male players and two top seeds at Wimbledon, have been elected to the ATP World Tour’s Player Council, giving him an increased voice in matters important to the actual competitors.

Djokovic was a previous member of the council after being elected in 2008, only to stand down before completing his term. Murray has never been involved before but recently has been forefront in public discussions through the media on such issues as anti-doping and the funding of surveillance in such matters, the integrity of the sport relating to gambling, and equality between men’s and women’s tennis.

With elder brother Jamie also elected, the Murrays have become the first set of brothers to be elected to the council and serve at the same time.

Coach Ivan Lendl watches over Britain’s Andy Murray during a training session on the eve of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 26 June 2016. EPA/GERRY PENNY

“It’s the first time I’m getting involved in something like this and I’m looking forward to getting started with the rest of the guys on the Council,” said the younger Murray. “We’ve seen a lot of growth on the ATP World Tour in recent years and hopefully we can continue that.”

Djokovic said: “I am humbled to be elected by my colleagues to be on the Players Council. It is a big responsibility and I know how much all of us players care for our sport to thrive and grow. I see this as an opportunity and I hope to fulfill the expectations of my colleagues.”

The player council meets several times a year and makes recommendations to the ATP World Tour’s main six man board on the direction they feel tennis should take. The first meeting involving the new members will take in New York prior to the start of the US Open on August 29 when the President and Vice President will be elected.

Along with Murray and Djokovic, Kevin Anderson and Gilles Simon have been elected from singles players ranked 1 to 50. Yen-Hsun Lu and Rajeev Ram similarly represent singles players ranked from 50 to 100 and Jamie Murray and his partner Bruno Soares are the serving doubles players.

The council also includes Marcelo Melo and Sergiy Stakhovsky as members at large, Colin Dowdeswell as an alumnus and Claudio Pistolesi as a coach.

Chris Kermode, ATP Executive Chairman & President, said: “Congratulations to all those that have been elected to the new Council. It’s great news to have such a strong group of players involved as we look to take the ATP World Tour to new heights in years ahead. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing Council members, led by Eric Butorac as President, for all their hard work and dedication over the past two years.”

Topics: 10sballs.com, Andy Murray, Atp World Tour, Doubles tennis, Jamie Murray, Murray Brothers, Novak Djokovic, Tennis News, Wimbledon 2016