Novak Djokovic said Wednesday he held no animosity towards rival stars Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal after they snubbed his call for the formation of a new players' association. Nadal and Federer called for "unity, not separation" after Djokovic revealed at the weekend that he was spearheading a controversial breakaway union for professional male players. "I respect, of course, completely their choice that they don't want to be involved in it at the moment," said Djokovic after progressing to the US Open third round.

"They don't think it's the right time. That's fine. That's their opinion. I disagree with that." Djokovic said his idea was not a new one and that he was just "following up on what the previous generations have attempted to do." "For a players' association, it's always the right time, and it has been the right time for the last 20 years. Somehow it was never really accomplished, never really realized. Right now it is. We are moving forward," he added. Djokovic recovered from a set down to defeat Britain's Kyle Edmund 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in the second round of the US Open Wednesday.