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India's top tennis stars Sumit Nagal and Rohan Bopanna are part of the group of players who have joined the new Professional Tennis Players Association, led by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil, and say the tennis players need a body to protect their interests.
Nagal is the only Indian in the singles draw this year at the US Open while Bopanna is the only entrant in the doubles draw.
Sumit Nagal and Rohan Bopanna on the Novak Djokovic led Players Association
According to The Times of India, 23 year old Nagal says, "For now, I do like the union where players do have a voice.
I have seen this a lot already and imagine I have not been on Tour much like the other people have … players have no say in anything. To have a player representative or union, that is the whole focus behind it, so the players can have a say.
Talking about Roger, Rafa and some other players who are against it, these are mostly on the Council. I can understand why they don’t want it, there are a lot of reasons behind it. It’s going to be interesting to see how things come up in a week or two." 40 year old Bopanna, a veteran on the ATP circuit on the other hand, says that, “There has been a lot of stuff players have not agreed to but players have no power to do anything about it.
PTPA will focus on promoting, protecting and representing the interests of the players." Nagal will face American Bradley Klahn in the first round of the singles draw this year - he will hope to improve on his first round exit last year where he went down to Roger Federer in four sets.
"I feel like I am playing very good tennis. I have worked a lot in the last four-five months and feel pretty good about it. I am looking forward to my first main draw match (at a Grand Slam) this year." The Indian also said that the tournament does feel different this year since they are not able to get out of their hotel and there are no fans in the stands but adds that the organisers have done their best to hold the tournament under such circumstances. The match between Sumit Nagal and Bradley Klahn is scheduled to be held on Court 12 at the US Open on Tuesday.