Stan Wawrinka writes letter criticising fellow professionals for stirring up trouble by trying to get rid of ATP Tour chief Chris Kermode
- Stan Wawrinka has written a letter which has created tension on the ATP Tour
- Wawrinka believes a faction of players are trying to get rid of Chris Kermode
- The three-time Grand Slam champion is a big supporter of Kermode on the Tour
Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka has written a letter criticising other players for fomenting upheaval within the ATP hierarchy.
The 32-year-old Swiss is annoyed that a faction of players, led by Novak Djokovic, are trying to get rid of Chris Kermode, the Englishman who runs the main tour outside the Majors.
He was responding to a communication from player activist Vasek Pospisil of Canada calling for his replacement, without offering any constructive alternatives.
Stan Wawrinka has been left unhappy with the behaviour of some of his fellow professionals
‘I did not want to spend time writing this the day before a Grand Slam here in Australia but I am reading crazy things online about Player Council voting against the CEO yesterday,’ wrote Wawrinka.
‘In the player meeting yesterday (Saturday) Andy Murray stood up and said that no player knows that any vote is happening and no players have been asked their opinion.
‘You emailed us Friday telling us your opinion because of grand slam money and the players voice of the ATP and that we need to change CEO.
Wawrinka believes a number of the pros want to get rid of ATP Tour chief Chris Kermode
‘I completely disagree and know so many players and so many top players that COMPLETELY disagree with this. The sport and ATP are trying and I repeat moving good forward. In player meeting yesterday, it said the players vote for the ATP is at highest marks ever in history.’
Wawrinka was referring to a rise in prize money at all levels, which sees player purses having gone up 48 per cent to $235 million overall during Kermode’s five-year tenure.