Novak Djokovic, PTPA Co-founder, sues tennis governing bodies
Novak Djokovic and the lawsuit claim the ATP, WTA, ITF, and ITIA operate as a cartel, suppressing player earnings and welfare.
The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), co-founded by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil, has initiated legal action against major tennis governing bodies, alleging anti-competitive practices and systemic exploitation of players. The lawsuit, filed in New York, targets the ATP Tour, WTA Tour, International Tennis Federation (ITF), and International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
The 163-page complaint, supported by 12 current and former players, including 2022 Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios, accuses these organizations of operating as a cartel that suppresses competition, manipulates prize money distribution, enforces restrictive ranking systems, and imposes invasive anti-doping and anti-corruption protocols. The PTPA contends that these practices limit player earnings, prevent the establishment of alternative tournaments, and result in exploitative contracts.
Player welfare concerns are also highlighted, citing unsustainable schedules, extreme playing conditions, and inadequate rest periods. The PTPA emphasizes that these issues have persisted despite years of attempted reforms through dialogue, leaving legal action as the necessary recourse to address these systemic failures.
In response, the ATP and WTA have dismissed the claims as baseless, asserting their commitment to the sport’s growth and the well-being of players. The ITF maintains that it reinvests 90% of its income into global tennis development, aiming to ensure the sport’s growth worldwide.
Inside the Baseline…
Power has always been a delicate balance in tennis. The fight for player rights isn’t just about money or influence. It’s about reshaping a system that has long favored tradition over transparency. When the biggest names in the sport push back, it forces the governing bodies to answer tough questions. Change is rarely immediate, but the ripple effects of these battles often define the future of the game, especially with the role that the media and these player’s platforms play in outside opinion.
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