The player organization established by Novak Djokovic Has initiated legal proceedings against the sport’s regulatory organizations.
Founded by Djokovic and Canada’s Vasek Pospisil in 2021, the Professional Tennis Players Association cites its mission as supporting and safeguarding professional tennis players.
However, it has struggled to bring about change from outside the system and is now opting for a legal approach as a countermeasure. ATP , WTA , International Tennis Federation , overseeing the second-tier tournaments, along with the International Tennis Integrity Agency, which manages the sport’s anti-doping and anti-corruption programs.
As of Tuesday, the lawsuit has been initiated in the US, the UK, and the EU. It includes twelve current and former players such as Pospisil. Nick Kyrgios , are named among the plaintiffs alongside the PTPA.
A statement said: "After many years of sincere attempts to revamp professional tennis, the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has decided to take firm legal measures."
“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 US, 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 legal actions reveal systematic mistreatment, unfair business tactics, and an outright neglect of athlete well-being that have continued for many years.
Among the PTPA’s complaints are the suppression of competition between tournaments, which it says reduces prize money, a draconian ranking points system, an unsustainable schedule and financial exploitation of players.
The organization claimed that the regulatory authorities were neglecting athlete well-being by making players compete deep into the night and under intense heat conditions. Meanwhile, the PTPA labeled the anti-doping measures as a violation of privacy rights.
Pospisil, who previously won at Wimbledon in doubles and reached the quarter-finals in singles play, stated, "This issue extends beyond monetary concerns; it's also about equity, security, and fundamental human respect."
“I’m one of the more fortunate players and I’ve still had to sleep in my car when travelling to matches early on in my career. 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, obviously. No other major sport treats its athletes this way.
The regulatory authorities compel us to enter unjust agreements, enforce cruel work schedules, and penalize us for voicing our concerns. The legal measures being pursued today aim at reforming tennis for the benefit of current athletes and coming generations.
It's time for responsibility, genuine restructuring, and a system that safeguards and strengthens athletes. Every party involved deserves a game that functions with equity and honesty.
The ATP responded forcefully, highlighting the contribution of players in attaining historic prize money levels and enhanced financial stability, and promising to "strenuously uphold our stance."
A statement said: "Even though ATP has kept its attention on implementing changes that advantage players across various tiers, the PTPA has continually opted for division and diversion via misleading information instead of advancement."
Five years since its launch in 2020, the PTPA has found it difficult to carve out a significant position within tennis. Consequently, its choice to take legal action now seems rather predictable.
We firmly deny the basis of the PTPA's assertions, consider the case to have no validity whatsoever, and will robustly uphold our stance.
ATP continues to dedicate itself to acting in the best interest of the sport—towards sustained expansion, fiscal solidity, and an optimal tomorrow for our athletes, events, and supporters.
The WTA mirrored the ATP’s statement, indicating: "The PTPA's move is both unfortunate and misdirected, and we will robustly defend our stance at the appropriate time."
"The WTA is fully committed to continuing to develop and evolve the structure and operations of professional women's tennis, listening closely as always to the views of our players.
"Contesting this baseless legal case will divert time, attention, and resources from our core mission to the detriment of our players and the sport as a whole."
The ITF said: "We can confirm we have received a letter detailing the PTPA's legal action and will take the appropriate time to consider our response."
The ITIA declined to comment.
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