The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), co-founded by Novak Djokovic, has launched legal action against the sport’s governing bodies, accusing them of “anti-competitive practices and a blatant disregard for player welfare.”
The lawsuit marks a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute between the PTPA and organisations such as the ATP, WTA, ITF, and Grand Slam tournaments.
Since its formation in 2019, the PTPA has been advocating for better rights and conditions for players, often clashing with existing structures that oversee the sport.
Twelve current and former players, including Djokovic, fellow co-founder Vasek Pospisil, and Nick Kyrgios, are listed as plaintiffs.
A statement released on Tuesday 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 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 lawsuits expose systemic abuse, anti-competitive practices, and a blatant disregard for player welfare that have persisted for decades.”
