The Professional Tennis Players Association, co-founded by Novak Djokovic, has filed a lawsuit against tennis governing bodies, alleging "anti-competitive conduct and blatant disregard for player welfare." The association believes the current system harms player rights and seeks change through legal means. The lawsuit aims to address systemic issues within professional tennis and advocate for fair treatment of players.
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03-25, 2025The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has submitted legal documents to the United States District Court in New York, seeking a jury trial. The 163-page lawsuit states that "professional tennis players are trapped in a rigged game" and have "limited control over their careers and brands." The lawsuit primarily targets scheduling, the ranking system, and control over image rights, highlighting key areas where players feel disadvantaged.
The lawsuit was jointly filed by the PTPA and 12 players, including co-founders Vasek Pospisil and Nick Kyrgios alongside Novak Djokovic. The PTPA states that its actions "represent all players." Founded in 2020, the association aims to empower players and reduce the control of governing bodies, giving them a stronger voice in the sport.
The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) stated that it "strongly objects to the premise of the PTPA's claims" and asserted that the case is "completely without merit," promising to "actively defend" its position. In a statement, the ATP accused the PTPA of "consistently choosing division and distraction through misinformation rather than progress," adding that the ATP "remains committed to operating in a way that is in the best interests of the sport." The ATP's response underscores the deep divide between the organization and the PTPA.
The Women's Tennis Association (WTA), which operates the women's tour, also stated it would defend its position, saying in a statement that the legal action was "both regrettable and misleading." The WTA added: "Challenging this baseless legal case will divert our time, energy and resources, detracting from our core mission and negatively impacting our players and the sport as a whole." The WTA's stance highlights the potential disruption the lawsuit could cause to its operations.
The lawsuit aims to end the "monopolistic control" of tennis tours and seeks financial compensation from the ATP, WTA, International Tennis Federation (ITF), and International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). The organization has also initiated legal proceedings in the UK and the EU to end what it considers the "unfettered power of the sport's governing bodies." These legal actions signal a broad and coordinated effort to challenge the existing power structures in tennis.
PTPA Executive Director Ahmad Nassar stated: "Tennis is broken." He told the BBC in October that the organization would not hesitate to take this approach. "Behind the glossy veneer that the defendants promote, players are trapped in an unfair system that exploits their talent, suppresses their earnings, and endangers their health and safety." Nassar's comments paint a stark picture of the issues the PTPA seeks to address.
Nassar continued: "We have exhausted all options for reform through dialogue, leaving the governing bodies with no choice but to be held accountable through the courts. Correcting these systemic failures is not about disrupting tennis, but about saving it, for players and fans for generations to come." Nassar's statement frames the lawsuit as a necessary step to preserve the integrity and future of tennis.
The ITIA stated that it noted the proposed legal action, adding that it "takes pride in its role in contributing to a clean and fair sport." The ITF, which describes itself as "the global guardian of the sport," stated it would "take appropriate time to consider [its] response." These responses indicate that the governing bodies are taking the lawsuit seriously and will likely mount a vigorous defense.
The PTPA argues that the governing bodies act as a "cartel" by entering into agreements with tournaments to limit prize money and prevent potential competitors from entering the market. The alliance describes the ranking points system as "draconian" because it effectively forces players to participate in their tournaments in order to establish a standing and reputation as professionals. This highlights the PTPA's concerns about the economic and competitive constraints placed on players.
The lawsuit also targets an "unsustainable" schedule that lasts 11 months and may require players to compete in excessive heat or in the early hours of the morning. It claims players suffer serious wrist, elbow, and shoulder injuries because the type of ball used frequently changes throughout the season, and that governing body control of image rights diverts money from players' pockets. These issues underscore the PTPA's focus on player health, safety, and economic well-being.
The ITIA is accused of "gross privacy violations" because it searches the mobile phones of players suspected of corruption or doping offenses. The ATP Tour will host 60 events in 29 countries this year and also operates its own Challenger Tour. The ATP stated that it allocated $241.6 million to players in 2023 through prize money, bonuses, and retirement plan contributions. These details provide context for the PTPA's claims about the power and reach of the governing bodies.
The WTA will offer 51 events in 26 countries this season, stating that it paid out a record $221 million in prize money in 2024. It has also introduced paid maternity leave for the first time. Players often complain that they do not receive a high enough percentage of the revenue generated by the sport, especially at the four Grand Slam events. These figures illustrate the ongoing debate about revenue distribution and player compensation in professional tennis.
This was the impetus for Djokovic forming the PTPA. The four Grand Slam events have tried to develop the concept of a "premium tour" with a streamlined season and higher financial rewards, but to date they have found too many obstacles in their path. The Grand Slams' efforts to create a more lucrative tour highlight the existing tensions and challenges in the sport's governance.
Pospisil said the lawsuit is about "fairness, safety, and basic human dignity." Pospisil added: "I'm one of the luckier players, but early in my career I still had to sleep in my car to get to tournaments. Imagine an NFL player being told he had to sleep in his car to get to an away game. It's absurd, and it would never happen. No other major sport treats its athletes this way." Pospisil's statement emphasizes the fundamental issues of respect and fair treatment that the PTPA is fighting for.
Drew Tulumello of Weil, Gotshal & Manges, the law firm commissioned by the PTPA, said: "The time has come for free market forces to enter professional tennis." The PTPA envies the rewards that players receive in team sports such as football, the NFL, baseball, and basketball, as well as the more comparable sport of golf. Tulumello's comment underscores the PTPA's belief that tennis players deserve a fairer share of the sport's wealth.
Many of those who joined the breakaway LIV tour now enjoy greater riches but have lost the ranking points that promote entry to major tournaments. The intervention of Saudi Arabia has caused extreme angst, and the new tour has dramatically altered the sport of golf. The PTPA's methods are very different, but they could have a similar effect. This comparison to LIV Golf highlights the potential for significant disruption in tennis, even with a different approach.
