Tennis antitrust lawsuit filed by PTPA, co-founded by Novak Djokovic, against ATP and WTA tours
The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), co-founded by 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, has taken legal action against major tennis governing bodies, accusing them of forming a “cartel” that results in suppressed wages, limited player opportunities, and hindered rival tournaments. By filing lawsuits in New York City, London, and Brussels, the PTPA aims to challenge the foundational structure of the sport, targeting the men’s ATP and women’s WTA tours, the International Tennis Federation (ITF), and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
In response to the PTPA’s allegations, the ATP and WTA both issued statements, with the ATP dismissing the claims as baseless and the WTA expressing disappointment in the legal action. The lawsuit has garnered support from renowned players worldwide, including Nick Kyrgios, Sorana Cirstea, Reilly Opelka, and Zheng Saisai, highlighting issues such as mandatory arbitration for player disputes that the PTPA deems as “illegal and non-negotiable.”
Furthermore, the lawsuit names the Grand Slam tournaments – Wimbledon, the Australian Open, the French Open, and the U.S. Open – as colluding with the governing bodies to prioritize their interests over those of the players and fans, perpetuating a system that benefits the tournaments at the expense of the broader tennis community. Djokovic, a key figure in the PTPA, reportedly chose not to put his name on the lawsuit to emphasize collective player rights rather than frame the legal battle as a personal vendetta against the organizations.
The ITIA, responsible for maintaining integrity in tennis through anti-doping and anti-corruption initiatives, emphasized its commitment to upholding the highest standards in the sport while welcoming engagement with various stakeholders to strengthen trust in its programs. On the other hand, the ITF underscored its nonprofit status and dedication to promoting tennis globally by reinvesting the majority of its revenue in the sport’s development, resonating with over 250 professional players and the PTPA’s executive committee led by Djokovic, who have called for substantive changes to address the current challenges faced in professional tennis.
Overall, the legal action initiated by the PTPA sheds light on longstanding issues within the tennis industry, particularly concerning player rights, tournament governance, and financial sustainability. With a diverse group of players supporting the cause, including Djokovic’s strategic leadership, the lawsuit symbolizes a unified effort to demand accountability and fairness from the sport’s governing bodies, setting a precedent for potential reforms that could benefit players, fans, and the overall integrity of tennis as a global sport.
