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The Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA), co-founded by Novak Djokovic, has initiated legal action against tennis' governing bodies, accusing them of "anti-competitive practices" and neglecting player welfare. The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court in New York, seeks a jury trial and claims that professional players have minimal control over their careers due to restrictive systems imposed by tennis authorities. The PTPA, alongside 12 players including co-founder Vasek Pospisil and Nick Kyrgios, is challenging the control of the ATP, WTA, ITF, and ITIA, demanding an end to what they describe as "monopolistic" governance and seeking financial compensation.
Formed in 2020, the PTPA aims to increase player influence and challenge the governing bodies' dominance. It has also launched legal proceedings in the UK and the EU to address what it considers unchecked authority. Ahmad Nassar, the association's Executive Director, stated that the lawsuit is necessary after failed reform attempts, arguing that the current system exploits players, suppresses earnings, and endangers health and safety. He emphasized that the PTPA's goal is not to disrupt tennis but to protect future generations of players and fans.
The lawsuit accuses tennis authorities of acting like a cartel, limiting prize money and preventing competition. It also criticizes the ranking system, claiming it forces players to compete in designated tournaments to maintain their professional status. The 11-month season is labeled "unsustainable," with concerns over players being subjected to extreme conditions and frequent injuries due to the constant variation in tennis balls. Additionally, the ITIA is accused of violating players' privacy by searching their phones during investigations.
The ATP, which is running 60 events across 29 countries in 2025, distributed $241.6 million in player earnings last year, while the WTA, with 51 tournaments in 26 countries, paid a record $221 million in 2024 and introduced paid maternity leave. Despite these figures, players argue that they do not receive a fair share of the sport's revenue, particularly from Grand Slams. Djokovic formed the PTPA in response to these issues, as governing bodies struggled to implement a streamlined season with higher financial rewards.
Pospisil highlighted the harsh realities faced by lower-ranked players, recalling times when he had to sleep in his car while competing. He compared this to other sports, arguing that such conditions would be unacceptable in leagues like the NFL. Lawyer Drew Tulumello, representing the PTPA, called for free-market forces in professional tennis, drawing parallels to the financial opportunities seen in team sports and even golf. The emergence of LIV Golf, despite its controversies, significantly altered golf's financial landscape, and while the PTPA's approach is different, it could have a similarly transformative impact on tennis.
