The Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA), co-founded by Novak Djokovic, has launched legal action against tennis’ governing bodies, accusing them of anti-competitive practices and a blatant disregard for player welfare.
The 163-page lawsuit was filed at the United States District Court in New York, with the PTPA seeking a jury trial.
The complaint alleges that “professional tennis players are stuck in a rigged game” where they have “limited control over their own careers and brands.”
PTPA Takes a Stand Against Tennis’ Power Structure
The lawsuit, backed by 12 players—including Djokovic’s co-founder Vasek Pospisil and Nick Kyrgios—claims that the ATP Tour, WTA, ITF, and ITIA have monopolistic control over the sport.
“Tennis is broken,” said Ahmad Nassar, the PTPA’s executive director.
“Behind the glamorous veneer that the defendants promote, players are trapped in an unfair system that exploits their talent, suppresses their earnings, and jeopardizes their health and safety.”
Nassar stated that repeated attempts to address these concerns through discussions were ignored, leaving the PTPA no choice but to pursue legal action.
“We have exhausted all options for reform through dialogue, and the governing bodies have left us no choice but to seek accountability through the courts.”
“Fixing these systemic failures isn’t about disrupting tennis – it’s about saving it for the generations of players and fans to come.”
What the Lawsuit Challenges
The lawsuit takes aim at several key aspects of the sport’s governance:
Monopolistic Agreements & Prize Money Caps
The PTPA argues that the governing bodies act as a “cartel”, capping prize money and preventing potential competitors from entering the market.
Unfair Ranking System
The lawsuit describes the ranking points system as “draconian”, claiming it forces players to enter tournaments dictated by the governing bodies, limiting their freedom and financial opportunities.
Brutal Scheduling & Player Safety Concerns
The tour’s 11-month-long calendar, which often requires players to compete in extreme heat or late at night, is labeled “unsustainable.”
The lawsuit also claims that frequent changes to tennis balls throughout the season contribute to serious wrist, elbow, and shoulder injuries.
Control Over Image Rights & Privacy Violations
The lawsuit criticizes how the governing bodies control players’ image rights, diverting revenue away from the athletes.
It also accuses the ITIA of “gross invasion of privacy” by searching players’ phones during corruption or doping investigations.
Tennis’ Governing Bodies Hit Back
The ATP Tour quickly dismissed the lawsuit, stating that it “strongly rejects the premise of the PTPA’s claims” and branding the case “entirely without merit.”
In a firm response, the ATP accused the PTPA of “consistently choosing division and distraction through misinformation over progress.”
The organization insisted it remains “committed to working in the best interests of the game.”
The WTA, which oversees women’s professional tennis, also pushed back against the lawsuit, calling it “both regrettable and misguided.”
Former Wimbledon doubles champion Vasek Pospisil, a key figure in the PTPA, described the lawsuit as a fight for “fairness, safety, and basic human dignity.”
“I’m one of the more fortunate players, and I’ve still had to sleep in my car when traveling to matches early on in my career,” Pospisil revealed.
“Imagine an NFL player being told that he had to sleep in his car at an away game. It’s absurd and would never happen. No other major sport treats its athletes this way.”
For now, the case is set to unfold in the courts, but its repercussions could redefine the power dynamics between players and governing bodies in tennis for years to come.
