Djokovic’s union sues tennis governing bodies

The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), founded by the Serbian tennis superstar, has filed a series of lawsuits against the world’s governing bodies, including the ATP, WTA, ITF and ITIA, accusing them of operating as a “cartel” and systematically exploiting players.

The association, founded by former world number 25 Vasek Pospisil of Canada along with Novak Djokovic, has filed lawsuits in the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union against the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).

The PTPA was created to better represent the interests of players, particularly those who are not part of the most powerful groups on the circuit, with a focus on improving the working conditions and rights of tennis players worldwide.

According to the PTPA, these bodies have maintained a monopolistic system of control that directly affects players, limiting their income, health and freedom within the sport. The union also stated that these practices have persisted for decades without the players finding a way to reform the system through dialogue. The complaint also alleges that the defendants conspired to fix tournament prizes, stifle competition and reduce players’ earnings. In particular, the PTPA highlights the fact that tennis players receive only 17% of the revenue generated by tournaments, a significantly low figure compared to other sports such as golf or basketball, where players typically receive between 35% and 50%.

They also criticise the ranking system, which they describe as “draconian”, for limiting players’ opportunities and forcing them to compete on an unsustainable schedule, with tournaments held in extreme heat, matches ending at 3 am and the use of balls that cause injuries.

The PTPA also denounces the financial exploitation of players, who are forced to sign away their image rights without compensation, preventing them from negotiating better contracts and sponsorships. They also highlight invasive doping tests and the confiscation of personal devices without consent, which is a serious violation of privacy.

Responses from the bodies involved

The ATP has categorically rejected the allegations made by the PTPA. In a letter released after the lawsuit, they stated that “the ATP has ensured that players and tournaments have an equal voice in determining the direction of the sport”.

They also highlighted the “transformational changes” made in recent years, such as record prize money and independent annual audits that provide transparency into tournament finances. The ATP defended that players, as independent contractors, “have maintained significant control over their schedules” and that Djokovic’s union had chosen “division and distraction through misinformation”.

Meanwhile, the WTA has issued a strong response, calling the lawsuit “unfortunate and misguided”. The statement insisted that fighting the case would “divert time, attention and resources from our primary mission, which is the welfare of the players and the advancement of the sport”. The WTA promised to vigorously defend its position “at the appropriate time”.

For its part, the ITF said it had received the PTPA’s letter and would take the necessary time to consider its response. It recalled that, as a not-for-profit organisation, it reinvests 90% of its income in the development of tennis worldwide through its 213 national associations. The ITF stressed its commitment to the sustainability of the sport and its ongoing work to promote the global growth of tennis.

The ITIA, which oversees the fight against doping and corruption in tennis, expressed its commitment to “a clean and fair sport”. In response to the lawsuit, the ITIA reaffirmed its vital role in the fight against doping and corruption and underlined the importance of its work in building confidence in tennis integrity programmes. They pledged to continue to work with all members of the sport to maintain an environment of trust and transparency. —insidethegames