Frank Dancevic, former player and current coach and Canada Davis Cup captain, sat down with the PTPA to discuss how player representation has evolved since his playing days, why he believes in the PTPA’s mission, and much more. Check out the full exclusive interview below.
Why Player Representation Matters
Having coached PTPA co-founder Vasek Pospisil, Frank has had the opportunity to see the evolution of the PTPA and how it advocates for players since its founding in 2019. But when Frank was competing on tour, players lacked support from any group solely dedicated to players’ best interest.
Frank told the PTPA the story of an illegally placed scoreboard that resulted in a serious injury. Without a players association, Frank didn’t know how to advocate for himself or where to turn to navigate the difficult situation.
Player Issues of Importance
Frank also shared some of the challenges that players face that he is passionate about and believes the PTPA can help improve, such as player pensions.
“I’ve played for 18 years. I don’t have a player’s pension,” Frank noted. He also explained how at times, players are encouraged to follow certain guidelines that can ultimately cause them to lose out on their pension. It’s these kinds of issues that have made him believe in the importance of a player-only advocacy group like the PTPA.
How Tennis Can Change for the Better
Frank explained how doing what’s right for the players hasn’t always been a priority in tennis, but how he hopes to see that change with the help of the PTPA.
“Vasek and Novak, they’re there to help the players. They want fairness, that’s the bottom line,” Frank noted.
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