The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) have taken legal action against tennis’ governing bodies, including the ATP and WTA, accusing them of ‘systemic abuse and corruption’ in what could prove to be a historic moment for the sport. The PTPA, which was founded by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil in 2019, launched a series of astonishing attacks on the quartet of organisations that play a key role in bringing professional game to the global stage.
They have filed a lawsuit against the ATP, WTA, International Tennis Federation (ITF) and International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), which cites their negligence in protecting players and even goes as far as accusing them of ‘systemic abuse’. A PTPA 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 U.S., 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.”
The ATP, WTA, ITF, and ITIA have collectively been accused of operating together and implementing ‘draconian, anticompetitive restraints and abusive practices’. The list of allegations relates to eight sub-sections, which are: collusion to reduce competition, fixing prize money, suppressing player earnings, ranking points mandates, forcing an unsustainable schedule, disregard for players, exploiting players financially and violating privacy rights.
The PTPA claim to have met with over 250 professionals – including players among the top 20 in the rankings of the ATP and WTA Tours – to gauge their views. They claim there was an ‘overwhelming’ reaction that ‘change is needed’, with Pospisil leading the fight on their behalf.
“This is not just about money, it’s about fairness, safety, and basic human dignity,” said Pospisil. “I’m one of the more fortunate players and I’ve still had to sleep in my car when traveling to matches early on in my career- imagine an NFL player being told that he had to sleep in his car at an away game. It’s absurd and would never happen, obviously.
“No other major sport treats its athletes this way. The governing bodies force us into unfair contracts, impose inhumane schedules, and punish us for speaking out. The legal actions taken today are about fixing tennis for today’s players and future generations.
“It’s time for accountability, real reform, and a system that protects and empowers players. All stakeholders deserve a sport that operates with fairness and integrity.”
Sorana Cirstea, the former world No. 21 now ranked 111th, claims the players on the WTA Tour have been left with no choice but to pursue legal action to bring about major reforms in the tennis game. “Players don’t have the luxury of waiting indefinitely for meaningful change. Despite repeatedly voicing concerns and speaking up, we have been met with empty promises,” she said.
“The current conditions – demanding schedules, financial uncertainty, and inadequate support – are unsustainable. Legal action is not a first choice, but at this stage, it is necessary to force accountability and ensure long-overdue improvements. Players deserve better and the future generations deserve better. We won’t give up until real change happens!”
Ahmed Nassar, the PTPA’s executive director, claimed tennis is ‘broken’ as he described the ‘systemic failures’ by the bodies in charge of tennis, labelling the ATP, WTA, ITF and ITIA a ‘cartel’.
“Tennis is broken. Behind the glamorous veneer that the Defendants promote, players are trapped in an unfair system that exploits their talent, suppresses their earnings, and jeopardises their health and safety,” he said.
“We have exhausted all options for reform through dialogue, and the governing bodies have left us no choice but to seek accountability through the courts. Fixing these systemic failures isn’t about disrupting tennis – it’s about saving it for the generations of players and fans to come.
The ITF declined to comment when approached by Express Sport, while the ATP and WTA are yet to respond.
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