The tennis players’ association co-founded by Novak Djokovic has initiated several legal actions worldwide against the various tours and governing bodies of the sport.
The lawsuit lodged in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York accuses these bodies of “monopolising” both men’s and women’s tennis while neglecting the interests of the players.
On Wednesday, the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) filed legal action against the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), the International Tennis Federation (ITF), and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), alleging that they operate “as a cartel.” The PTPA stated that it is pursuing legal recourse in New York, the European Union, and the United Kingdom. CNN has obtained the 163-page complaint registered in New York.
This extensive lawsuit addresses various issues, including prize money, rankings, scheduling, the ITIA’s investigative processes, and compensation related to name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights, among others.
Twelve players, including PTPA co-founder Vasek Pospisil and the outspoken Australian player Nick Kyrgios, are listed as plaintiffs in the US complaint, which seeks a jury trial.
Nick Kyrgios has been named in the legal action. AP
“The current state of tennis is unacceptable,” said Ahmad Nassar, executive director of the PTPA, in a statement. “Underneath the glossy façade that the defendants present, players find themselves ensnared in an inequitable system that exploits their talents, minimises their earnings, and threatens their health and safety.
“We have tried every avenue to reform through discussion, but the governing bodies have forced our hand to seek accountability in the legal system. Addressing these systemic failures is not about disrupting tennis; it’s about preserving it for future generations of players and fans.”
The ATP responded with a statement, firmly rejecting the PTPA’s assertions and declaring the case to be utterly without merit, pledging to “defend their position vigorously.”
“Since the establishment of the ATP Tour in 1990, the ATP has significantly contributed to the global development of men’s professional tennis,” the statement read. “Over the past three decades, the ATP’s 50-50 governance structure has ensured parity between players and tournaments in determining the sport’s trajectory at the highest level.”
The ATP further asserted that player revenues have increased by $110 million over the last five years, and they now guarantee a minimum income for the top 250 singles players, among other financial advantages within the tour.
In a similar vein, the WTA also stated it will defend its stance “vigorously,” labelling the PTPA’s lawsuit “both unfortunate and misguided.”
“WTA players, as equal stakeholders alongside tournaments, play a vital and influential role in the governance of the WTA,” the statement continued.
The ITIA confirmed to CNN that it is aware of the lawsuits but chose not to comment at this time. The ITF has also declined to provide a statement.
In its announcement, the PTPA emphasised that its legal claims are “overwhelmingly supported” by over 250 men’s and women’s players, including most of the top 20 players from each tour.
The PTPA alleges that the governing bodies’ negligence towards players includes compelling them to compete in extreme temperatures, endure matches that can extend until 3am, and utilize different “injury-inducing” tennis balls. Kyrgios has previously voiced his concerns about the inconsistency of tennis balls while coping with a serious wrist injury.
Moreover, it claims that the 11-month-long playing season furnishes players with little time for recovery.
In its press release, the PTPA also charges that the tours “collude” to restrict prize money, hinder new competitors and tournaments from entering the market, enforce a “draconian” ranking points system, and provide no payment to players for NIL rights.
According to the PTPA, tennis athletes receive only 17% of the sport’s revenue, compared to other sports where players are compensated between 35-50%.
“This issue transcends just finances—it pertains to fairness, safety, and fundamental human dignity,” Pospisil commented in a statement. “I’m among the more privileged players, yet I have had to sleep in my car during travel to matches early in my career—imagine an NFL player being forced to sleep in their car while on an away game.”
He continued, “It’s ludicrous and simply wouldn’t happen. No other major sport treats its athletes in this manner. The governing bodies impose unfair contracts on us, create inhumane schedules, and penalise us for voicing our concerns.”
The PTPA is seeking a court ruling that the governing bodies are in violation of the Sherman Act and requesting damages for all plaintiffs which will be determined at trial.
The lawsuit additionally requests that the court require the governing bodies to relinquish profits gained, establish a trust from which players can claim restitution, and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
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