The Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA), co-founded by 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, has filed an antitrust lawsuit against the sport’s governing bodies, alleging that they operate as a cartel that restricts player earnings and working conditions.
The suit, filed in U.S. federal court in New York, targets the ATP Tour, WTA Tour, International Tennis Federation (ITF), and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), claiming they exert excessive control over professional tennis and engage in anti-competitive practices, AP News reported.
Allegations of Market Control and Restricted Player Earnings
The lawsuit argues that these organizations effectively monopolize professional tennis, capping prize money and limiting players’ ability to generate revenue outside official tournament structures. The PTPA describes these actions as “textbook violations of state and federal law” and has also filed related complaints with the European Commission in Brussels and the Competition and Markets Authority in London.
“There is a complete and utter lack of competition that exists in professional tennis,” said Jim Quinn, a lawyer representing the PTPA. “By filing these actions, we will ultimately inject fair competition that benefits players, fans, and even the sport’s organizers.”
The PTPA seeks a jury trial and systemic reforms that would allow players greater financial opportunities and influence over the sport’s governance. The association contends that the current system denies professional athletes their right to fair competition and demands a restructuring of how tennis is managed globally.
Response from Tennis Governing Bodies
The WTA and ATP issued statements rejecting the claims, vowing to defend themselves “vigorously” against the lawsuit. The WTA highlighted a $400 million increase in player compensation in recent years and dismissed the PTPA’s claims as “baseless, regrettable, and misguided.” The ATP, meanwhile, pointed to a $70 million increase in player compensation over the past five years and accused the PTPA of fostering division rather than progress.
“The PTPA has consistently chosen division and distraction through misinformation over progress,” the ATP stated. “Five years on from its inception in 2020, the PTPA has struggled to establish a meaningful role in tennis, making its decision to pursue legal action unsurprising.”
The ITIA declined to comment on the lawsuit, while the ITF stated that it would take appropriate time to consider its response.
Player Representation and Growing Discontent
Djokovic, although not a named plaintiff, remains actively involved in the PTPA’s leadership. Several professional players, including 2022 Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios, Sorana Cirstea, Reilly Opelka, and Nicole Melichar-Martinez, are listed as plaintiffs in the case. According to PTPA Executive Director Ahmad Nassar, more than 250 players—including a majority of the top 20 in both the WTA and ATP rankings—were consulted before filing the lawsuit.
PTPA co-founder Vasek Pospisil emphasized that the lawsuit extends beyond financial disputes, citing concerns over scheduling, player welfare, and restrictions on name, image, and likeness rights.
“Beyond just the economics, we see that player welfare is completely disregarded—from the tour schedule to anti-competitive practices,” Pospisil stated.
The Path Forward
The PTPA argues that previous efforts to reform the sport—whether through internal changes, outside investments, or structural adjustments—have failed, making legal action necessary.
“We don’t take this action lightly,” Nassar said. “But the players demand to be heard, to have their issues addressed, and to create a system that brings balance, equality, and fairness to the business of tennis.”
As the lawsuit progresses, it could have far-reaching implications for the governance of professional tennis and the financial rights of players worldwide.
