The player advocacy organisation founded by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil has launched a lawsuit against the governing bodies of professional tennis, marking an escalation in its battle to secure better rights for players.
The six-year-old Professional Tennis Players Association, which has struggled to drive change from outside the system, is now pursuing legal action against the ATP Tour, WTA Tour, the International Tennis Federation and the International Tennis Integrity Agency. The 163‑page complaint, filed in the US district court for the southern district of New York, lists 12 current and former players as plaintiffs, including Djokovic, Pospisil, Nick Kyrgios and Sorana Cirstea.
It alleges that the governing bodies have systematically suppressed competition, manipulated prize‑money structures and imposed restrictive ranking systems that prevent players from seeking alternative earnings. The lawsuit also accuses the ITIA of violating player rights through invasive anti-doping and anti-corruption practices.
In a statement announcing the lawsuit, the PTPA described the legal action as a necessary step after years of failed attempts to push for reform. “Following years of good-faith efforts to reform professional tennis, the PTPA has taken decisive legal action,” it said. “The lawsuits expose systemic abuse, anti-competitive practices, and a blatant disregard for player welfare that have persisted for decades.”
The lawsuit, a copy of which has been obtained by the Guardian, argues that the governing bodies function as a “cartel”, enforcing a rigid economic system that keeps players’ earnings artificially low. It highlights an example from Indian Wells, where the billionaire tournament owner Larry Ellison was blocked from increasing prize money because of ATP and WTA regulations. The plaintiffs contend that this system prevents tournaments from competing for talent and forces players into unfair contracts.
“Tennis is broken,” Ahmad Nassar, the PTPA executive director, said in a statement. “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.”
The ranking system is another major point of contention. Players earn ranking points only by competing in ATP- and WTA-sanctioned events, which the PTPA argues forces them into an unsustainable schedule of 45 weeks per year. Additionally, the governing bodies impose non-compete clauses and fines for players who participate in alternative tournaments.
Beyond financial issues, the lawsuit also highlights concerns about player welfare. The PTPA claims that the governing bodies have disregarded player health by forcing athletes to compete in extreme heat and late at night, citing recent incidents at the Australian Open and US Open.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency, which oversees the sport’s anti-doping and anti-corruption investigations, is accused of operating with little accountability, subjecting players to intrusive searches of their personal devices, repeated drug tests and lengthy interrogations without legal representation. The lawsuit suggests that these measures are used as a tool of control rather than genuine efforts to maintain integrity in the sport.
Pospisil, a former Wimbledon doubles champion, emphasised that the lawsuit is not just about money but about fundamental fairness and dignity. “I’m one of the more fortunate players, and I’ve still had to sleep in my car when travelling to matches early in my career,” he said. “Imagine an NFL player being told he had to sleep in his car at an away game. It’s absurd. No other major sport treats its athletes this way.”
The PTPA was founded in 2019 to represent players independently from the ATP and WTA, which also serve as the governing bodies for men’s and women’s professional tennis. The lawsuit alleges that the ATP has actively sought to suppress the PTPA, including by introducing rules that penalise players who affiliate with the organisation. One such rule change removes eligibility for pension benefits and player council participation for those aligned with “adverse organisations” such as the PTPA.
Djokovic has been vocal about the need for a fairer system, arguing that players deserve a larger share of the sport’s multibillion-dollar revenue. “We need a system where players have a voice and can negotiate for their rights like athletes in other major sports,” he said in a recent interview.
The lawsuit draws parallels to historic legal battles in other sports, including Major League Baseball’s reserve clause case and the National Basketball Association’s fight for free agency. If successful, it could force major structural changes in professional tennis, including the restructuring of revenue-sharing models and ranking systems. It could also pave the way for greater player autonomy, similar to what has been achieved in leagues like the NFL and NBA.
A protracted legal battle is expected, with potential ramifications that could reshape the professional game.
In a forceful statement, the ATP said: “While ATP has remained focused on delivering reforms that benefit players at multiple levels, the PTPA has consistently chosen division and distraction through misinformation over progress. 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 at this juncture unsurprising.
“We strongly reject the premise of the PTPA’s claims, believe the case to be entirely without merit, and will vigorously defend our position.
“ATP remains committed to working in the best interests of the game – towards continued growth, financial stability, and the best possible future for our players, tournaments, and fans.”
The WTA echoed the ATP, saying: “The PTPA’s action is both regrettable and misguided, and we will defend our position vigorously in due course.The WTA is fully committed to continuing to develop and evolve the structure and operations of professional women’s tennis, listening closely as always to the views of our players.
“Contesting this baseless legal case will divert time, attention, and resources from our core mission to the detriment of our players and the sport as a whole.”
The ITF said : “We can confirm we have received a letter detailing the PTPA’s legal action and will take the appropriate time to consider our response.” The ITIA declined to comment.
