• Loading stock data...
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Law

Novak Djokovic’s PTPA Sues Tennis ‘Cartel’

The 11-month schedule, playing conditions, travel logistics, and NIL rights are all part of the players’ massive lawsuit.

Nick Kyrgios reacts to a point against Botic van de Zandschulp in the first set of their first-round match at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., Thursday, March 6, 2025.
Imagn Images

A group of pro tennis players are teaming up to take on the sport’s biggest governing bodies in an attempt to restructure it.  

The Professional Tennis Players Association, which was cofounded by 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, filed a 163-page antitrust lawsuit in three countries Tuesday describing the governing bodies as a “cartel,” while accusing them of suppressing player wages, opportunities, and competing tournaments, among other allegations. 

The lawsuit, which was filed in New York City, London, and Brussels to account for the governing bodies’ global scope, lists the men’s and women’s respective tours (ATP and WTA), the International Tennis Federation (ITF), and International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) as defendants. Notable players listed as plaintiffs include Nick Kyrgios of Australia, Sorana Cîrstea of Romania, and Reilly Opelka of the U.S. The players are represented by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.

At a press conference Tuesday, Vasek Pospisil, a Canadian tennis player listed as one of the plaintiffs, said their goal is not to “destroy,” but rather “setting the sport up to be fixed.” He said the PTPA wants to work with the defendants to “come to a solution to ensure that something like [fracturing the sport] does not happen.”

“We strongly reject the premise of the PTPA’s claims, believe the case to be entirely without merit, and will vigorously defend our position,” the ATP said in a statement. “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 PTPA’s action is both regrettable and misguided, and we will defend our position vigorously in due course,” the WTA said in a statement. In a statement, ITIA said it focuses on maintaining “the highest standards in our work, following best practice and appropriate rules throughout the management of cases, from intelligence gathering through to investigations and, where applicable, sanctions.” ITF declined to comment on the lawsuit in emails to Front Office Sports

More than 250 players in the sport have been pushing for litigation for two years, the PTPA said in a release. That includes Djokovic, who sits on the PTPA’s executive committee and debated putting his name on the lawsuit, according to The Athletic. He ultimately decided against it in order to keep the attention on the players as a group and not on him. 

Among the players’ gripes is the 11-month schedule, having to pay for and coordinate their own travel to events, the conditions they’re forced to compete in, which can include extreme heat and late nights, and the lack of control over their own NIL (name, image, and likeness) rights. 

Despite the existence of the PTPA, which was founded in 2019, tennis players are classified as independent contractors, which prevents them from unionizing. The PTPA has engaged with the tennis governing bodies inconsistently since it started, with the hope of avoiding litigation.

“Players are demanding the same rights, protections, and fair treatment that athletes in other major sports — like the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, NWSL, international football and international cricket — have fought for and won,” the PTPA said in a statement.

“Tennis is broken,” said Ahmad Nassar, executive director of the PTPA. “Behind the glamorous veneer that the defendants promote, players are trapped in an unfair system that exploits their talent, suppresses their earnings, and jeopardizes their health and safety. 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.”

Speaking to FOS in 2024, U.S. tennis star Taylor Fritz said the sport “absolutely” needs a union, given the lack of voice players have in major decisions. Fritz’s name isn’t on Tuesday’s lawsuit.

“We’re pretty much the only sport that doesn’t have a player union,” Fritz told FOS. “And it’s pretty crazy because there’s a lot of things that are decided, [are] in favor of the tournaments and not in favor of the players. And there’s nothing we can actually do about it.”

The lawsuit also accuses the ATP and WTA tours of price fixing, which limits the compensation players can earn at an event and also prevents other competing events from taking place. 

In the lawsuit, the PTPA alleges the tennis groups “collude and reject tournament owners’ requests to increase prize money, ensuring that the system remains rigged in favor of Defendants.”

“Indian Wells wanted to up the prize money and make it the highest-paying tournament, and the board voted against it because they wanted all of that level [tournaments] to have prize money that’s similar,” Fritz told FOS in 2024. “They didn’t want one to be way above the other. So that’s against the players’ interest that we could have made more money. There was no negative for the players. So there’s just one example.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Wisconsin cornerback Xavier Lucas (6) is shown during the first quarter of their game against South Dakota Saturday, September 7 , 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Sues Miami for ‘Tampering’ With Football Transfer

Xavier Lucas signed NIL deals in Madison before transferring to Miami.
Jun 19, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) shoots the ball against Indiana Pacers center Tony Bradley (13) during the first half of game six of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Pacers’ Tony Bradley Has Made Just $330K This Year Despite Finals Run

Bradley was signed by the Pacers on March 2 to a 10-day contract.
Apr 3, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves the ball up court ahead of Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena.

Lakers’ $10B Valuation Is Historic, but Not Surprising. What Happens Next?

Details about the deal’s structure and the team’s future are scarce.
May 20, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; A reserved parking sign for ÒMr. Big TimeÓ located in Lot B before the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

Dodgers, DHS At Odds Over Presence of Federal Agents in Parking Lots

The Dodgers and DHS have conflicting reports about what exactly happened.

Featured Today

Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field

‘More Is More’: The Elite Luxury Jewelers Decking Out Athletes

Meet the elite group of luxury designers crafting the biggest statement pieces.
Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.
June 15, 2025

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.
Jan 24, 2017; Davidson, NC, USA; The Davidson Wildcats student section cheers during the first half against the Duquesne Dukes at McKillop Court at John M. Belk Arena. Davidson defeated Duquesne 74-60.
June 6, 2025

Every College Wants a Flashy Basketball GM Hire Right Now

The role is more important than ever, and the definition is ever-evolving.
Jun 8, 2025; Brooklyn, Michigan, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates with his team, holding up three fingers, one for each of his victories at Michigan International Speedway, after winning the FireKeepers Casino 400.

Judge Urges Michael Jordan, Co-Plaintiffs to Settle With NASCAR

Jordan’s racing team filed a co-suit in October alleging antitrust practices.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome.
June 17, 2025

Former Chiefs Employee Sues for Racial Discrimination

Ramzee Robinson says the Chiefs paid Black employees less than white ones.
Ippei Mizuhara
June 17, 2025

Ohtani’s Ex-Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara Reports to Prison After Delays

Mizuhara’s 57-month sentence was supposed to begin in March.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Ted Leonsis unpacks basketball’s global rise, media rights, and portfolio ownership.
The BetMGM Sportsbook opened for business during the season opener between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Arizona Cardinals on the Great Lawn outside of State Farm Stadium.
June 17, 2025

18th-Century Law Fuels Legal Blitz on Sports Prediction Markets

Five new lawsuits accuse Kalshi, others of offering illegal sports betting.
Tennessee wide receiver Grant Frerking (0) drills during fall practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tenn. on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021.
June 13, 2025

Ex-Tennessee Football Player, On3 Staffer Accused of Financial Scams

Grant Frerking parted ways with On3 amid “allegations of criminal misconduct.”
Antonio Brown
June 13, 2025

Antonio Brown Wanted for Attempted Murder After Shooting at Celebrity Boxing Event

Police said he fought and tried to shoot another man last month.
DraftKings
June 13, 2025

PrizePicks Sues Former Employee for Jumping to DraftKings

PrizePicks alleges its former social media director violated a noncompete.