Prior to the U.S. Open main draw, the PTPA hosted players and player support teams at the NBA Players Association Headquarters in New York for an information session highlighting the PTPA’s latest news, efforts with governing bodies, player services and benefits, and more.
The session gave players and player support teams a chance to unwind in a casual setting with their peers before the final Slam of the year, while mixing and mingling with the PTPA team and learning more about the organization’s work and momentum in recent months.
PTPA Executive Director Ahmad Nassar, Deputy Executive Director Romain Rosenberg, Medical Director Dr. Robby Sikka, and Mental Fitness Director Damon Valentino led the meeting, updating attendees on progress around key player welfare topics including:
- The PTPA’s role in the future of tennis discussions;
- Recent PTPA research and analyses on player health and wellness trends;
- Recent PTPA research and analyses on prize money evolution;
- Player services such as PTPA MedNet and the PTPA Mental Fitness Program;
- Player commercial benefits from partners such as Hilton and Priority Pass;
- And more.
Natalie Cummins, Talkspace’s Chief Business Officer, also joined the event to share more about the PTPA’s recently-announced partnership with Talkspace and the new mental health benefits available to players, their families and their teams on demand.
Following the presentation and dinner, which was provided by Cava and Liquid Death, interested attendees enjoyed a tour of the NBPA Headquarters, including its world-class gyms and recovery facilities. Not only was the information session hosted at the NBPA Headquarters; Players and their teams had the opportunity to schedule personal use of the facilities around the U.S. Open, compliments of the PTPA and its fellow players association.
Players who attended the event also received a variety of gifting from the PTPA and its partners, including TUMI, IPSY, and Pocketalk.
As the 2024 tennis season approaches its final stretch, the PTPA Player Relations team will continue to provide on-site support at various tournaments across tours, ensuring connectivity with players and their teams. The PTPA looks forward to continuing to work with and support more and more players throughout the rest of 2024 and beyond.