The Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) has taken legal action against the sport’s governing bodies, accusing them of anti-competitive behavior and neglecting player welfare.
Co-founded by Novak Djokovic in 2019, the PTPA has long advocated for players’ rights and higher earnings.
On Tuesday, the organization announced it had filed a lawsuit in a New York court, along with over a dozen players, against the ATP Tour, WTA Tour, International Tennis Federation (ITF), and International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
“Tennis is Broken” – PTPA Pushes for Reform
PTPA Executive Director Ahmad Nassar did not hold back in his statement, claiming the current system exploits players, suppresses earnings, and endangers health.
“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,” Nassar said.
The ATP dismissed the lawsuit, calling it a “distraction” and stating that the claims were baseless.
“We strongly reject the premise of the PTPA’s claims, believe the case to be entirely without merit, and will vigorously defend our position,” the ATP said.
A Broken System? PTPA Calls for Urgent Changes
The PTPA has also filed lawsuits in the UK and EU, describing tennis’ governing bodies as a “cartel” that enforces unfair ranking systems and pays players below fair market value.
Among the key concerns raised are:
- An unsustainable schedule forcing players to compete in extreme conditions.
- Mandatory tournaments that limit players’ freedom.
- Tennis balls that contribute to chronic injuries.
- Invasive drug testing that violates privacy.
The PTPA stated that it consulted over 250 players, including most of the top 20, before taking legal action.
Djokovic: Lower-Ranked Players Struggle to Survive
Djokovic has been a strong voice for reform, highlighting the financial struggles of lower-ranked players.
“Men and women ranked 200 and lower in the world are struggling. They can’t afford a coach, they can’t afford travel, they skip tournaments, and many leave the sport despite being talented,” Djokovic told CBS 60 Minutes in 2023.
While the ITIA declined to comment, responses from the ITF and WTA are still awaited.
