Novak Djokovic speaks at a press conference
The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), an organisation co-founded by Novak Djokovic, has launched legal action against tennis’ governing bodies.
The lawsuits are against the ATP and WTA tours, the International Tennis Federation (ITF), and International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). The PTPA has labelled the governing bodies a “cartel” and accused them of implementing “anticompetitive restraints and abusive practices.”
The 163-page complaint was filed in the United States District Court in New York, where the PTPA is seeking a jury trial. PTPA co-founder Vasek Pospisil and Nick Kyrgios are two of 12 current or former professional players listed as plaintiffs.
A statement from the PTPA read: “Following years of good-faith efforts to reform professional tennis, the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has taken decisive legal action.
“Today, the PTPA, alongside over a dozen professional tennis players, and on behalf of the entire player population, and renowned international law firm and historical player advocates Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP initiated a series of legal actions in the U.S., UK, and EU against the sport’s governing bodies—the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), International Tennis Federation (ITF), and International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
“The lawsuits expose systemic abuse, anti-competitive practices, and a blatant disregard for player welfare that have persisted for decades.
“The ATP, WTA, ITF, and ITIA operate as a cartel by implementing a number of draconian, interlocking anticompetitive restraints and abusive practices.”
The PTPA also claimed that the lawsuit has been “backed overwhelmingly by the top 250+ men’s and women’s players including a majority of the top 20 players.”
Ahmad Nassar, the Executive Director of the PTPA, said: “Tennis is broken. Behind the glamorous veneer that the defendants promote, players are trapped in an unfair system that exploits their talent, suppresses their earnings, and jeopardises their health and safety.
“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.”
In a tweet, Nassar explained: “The legal challenges centre on the following illegal actions:
Schedule abuse
Data misappropriation and betting collusion
Prize money manipulation
Player exploitation and hostile work environment
Abuse of power
Health and safety malpractice
Massive conflicts of interest
Investigative abuses and privacy rights violations
We stand ready to engage with anyone to solve these problems and lead tennis to a bright future for all.”
