ATP issues strong statement after Novak Djokovic-backed PTPA files lawsuit against them

Novak Djokovic's PTPA, formed in 2020, were forced to take drastic action against tennis' governing bodies to expose corruption.

ATP issues strong statement after Novak Djokovic-backed PTPA files lawsuit against them

Novak Djokovic (Image via ATP/X)

The Novak Djokovic-backed Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) took a drastic measure to fight against what they believe tennis governing bodies’ “anti-competitive practices“. They filed a 163-page lawsuit at the United States District Court in New York on Tuesday (March 18).

The PTPA has sued 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 lawsuit has been backed by more than the top 250 men’s and women’s players, which also includes many top 20 players.

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The PTPA criticized the “unsustainable” schedule that forced players to be on the move for 11 months. They also accused the governing bodies of exploiting the players by forcing them to sign up for tournaments for the sake of rankings, calling the rankings system “draconian“.

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The PTPA censured the bodies for changing the balls throughout the season which has often resulted in players falling victim to wrist, elbow, and shoulder injuries. They also censured the control over the players’ image rights. The ATP has now responded, calling PTPA’s action “entirely without merits“.

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.

The ATP wrote in a statement

WTA breaks silence after PTPA takes action against them

The WTA, while addressing PTPA’s lawsuit, stated that their goal is to advance women’s tennis and that they take the input of players to make every important decision. They also explained the measures they have taken in recent years to improve players’ lives.

Novak Djokovic (2)
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

Among many examples, in recent years we have committed to a $400 million increase in player compensation, set out a pathway to pay equality at our major WTA events, secured new investment to fuel the long-term growth of the sport, and launched the first comprehensive maternity benefits for independent, self-employed athletes in the history of women’s sports.

The WTA wrote in a statement

The PTPA said the ITIA, due to suspicion of doping, have searched the phones of players, accusing them of “gross invasion of privacy“. Many players have censured the ITIA for their verdicts on Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek after they failed drug tests last year. They have accused the anti-doping body of giving preferential treatment to the top two players, not handing them a harsh punishment as they did in other similar cases.

Players want top bodies to change certain things in tennis

Many players in recent times have come out to criticize the hectic tennis schedule, including Women’s World No.2 Iga Swiatek and Men’s World No.3 Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard last year claimed that the crammed tennis calendar would “kill” the players.

Carlos Alcaraz (5)
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Tennis Panorama News)

Players have lamented the ball change in recent years and Rafael Nadal (now retired), Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, and Swiatek, among many others have criticized it. They think players failing to adapt to the constant changes result in injuries.

The PTPA was formed in 2020 by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil. While Pospisil said the lawsuit is about “basic human dignity“, the 37-year-old Serb, who will be in action in the ongoing Miami Open is yet to comment on it.

He is expected to address the controversy in his pre-tournament press conference. The 24-time Grand Slam champion received a bye for the first round and will lock horns with Rinky Hijikata or Hamad Medjedovic in the round of 64.