• Loading stock data...
Monday, August 4, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot
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

Shannon Sharpe Out at ESPN Following Rape Suit Settlement

He’s been off-air since April, planning to return for the NFL season.
Jul 24, 2025; Washington, D.C., USA; Venus Williams (USA) waves to the crowd after her match against Magdalena Frech (POL)(not pictured) in a women's singles match on day four of the Mubadala Citi DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center.

Venus Williams Returns to U.S. Open Ahead of New Mixed Doubles Format

The number of doubles teams at the US Open has been cut to 16 from 32.
Jul 27, 2025; Washington, D.C., USA; Leylah Fernandez (CAN) celebrates with the championship trophy after her match against Anna Kalinskaya (not pictured) in the women's singles final of the Mubadala Citi DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center.

DC Open Increases Women’s Purse by 39%, Keeps 2027 Target for Equal..

DC Open chairman Mark Ein spoke to Front Office Sports.
Jul 13, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Jannik Sinner (ITA) stands on the South West Hall balcony holding the gentlemen's singles champion trophy, after his match against Carlos Alcaraz (ESP)(not pictured) in the gentlemen's' singles final of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Jannik Sinner Reunites With Coach Tied to Banned Doping Spray

Sinner did not miss any Grand Slams due to the ban.

Featured Today

Inked Under Anesthesia: Athletes Getting $50,000 Tattoos

High-end studios, elite artist teams, and hours under anesthesia.
Coco Gauff at New York Liberty
August 2, 2025

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Las Vegas sign
July 29, 2025

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.
Feb 20, 2011; Calgary, AB, Canada; Canadian hockey fans wave a flag and display a banner before the Heritage Classic between the Montreal Canadiens and the Calgary Flames at McMahon Stadium. The Flames beat the Canadiens 4-0

Where Does Hockey Go After the Hockey Canada Verdict?

After the sexual assault trial, hockey is split over the path forward.
Gilbert Arenas
July 31, 2025

Gilbert Arenas Charged With Running Illegal Poker Operation With ‘Organized Crime Figure’

The former NBA player allegedly ran a poker club from his house.
Troy Taylor
July 31, 2025

Ex-Stanford Coach Troy Taylor Sues ESPN for Defamation

Taylor was fired after a pair of 3–9 seasons.
Sponsored

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

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Marcus Morris
July 30, 2025

Marcus Morris Denies Fraud, Blames Mixup for $260K Casino Debt Arrest

Morris made roughly $107 million across 13 NBA seasons.
Apr 6, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) dribbles as New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) is screened by Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards (2) during the first half at Madison Square Garden.
July 30, 2025

Tensions Rise After Suns Fire Ex–Security Director

Phoenix faces a slew of lawsuits from former employees.
Jul 22, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (not in uniform) celebrates from the bench in the first quarter against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center.
July 29, 2025

Man Who Stalked Clark Gets 2 Years in Prison

He sent more than 800 messages and visited Indianapolis to see Clark.
Katinka Hosszu
July 25, 2025

Swimmers Settle Bulk of Suit Against World Aquatics Over New League

The sides reached a deal earlier this summer.