‘Basic human dignity’ – Nick Kyrgios among tennis stars to launch astonishing legal action against sport’s governing bodies
The player organisation set up by Novak Djokovic has launched legal action against the governing bodies of tennis, accusing them of ‘systemic abuse and corruption’. Founded by Djokovic and soon-to-be-retired Canadian star Vasek Pospisil in 2021, the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) cites its mission as supporting and safeguarding tennis pros. A player association co-founded by Djokovic has filed a lawsuit against Tennis’ governing bodiesGetty But it has found driving change from outside the system very difficult, and is now taking a legal route against the ATP, WTA, International Tennis Federation (ITF) and International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), which oversees the sport’s anti-doping and anti-corruption system. As many as 12 current and former players, including Pospisil and Nick Kyrgios, are listed as plaintiffs along with the PTPA. The PTPA’s statement, released on Tuesday, March 18, read: “Following years of good-faith efforts to reform professional tennis, the Professional Tennis Players Association has taken decisive legal action. “Today, the PTPA, alongside over a dozen professional tennis players and on behalf of the entire player population, and renowned international law firm and historical player advocates Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, initiated a series of legal actions in the US, UK and EU against the sport’s governing bodies. “The lawsuits expose systemic abuse, anti-competitive practices, and a blatant disregard for player welfare that have persisted for decades.” Among the PTPA’s complaints are the suppression of competition between tournaments, which it says reduces prize money, a ‘draconian’ ranking points system, an unsustainable schedule and financial exploitation of players. It also accused tennis’ governing bodies of disregarding player welfare by forcing athletes to compete late at night and in extreme heat, while the PTPA branded anti-doping practices an invasion of privacy. According to ESPN, in the 162-page complaint filed in the Southern District of New York, the PTPA and associated players further accused the ATP, WTA, ITF and ITIA of working together as a ‘cartel’ and colluding with one another. Pospisil, a former Wimbledon doubles champion and singles quarter-finalist, suggested the action is ‘not just about money,’ but about ‘fairness, safety, and basic human dignity.’ He went on to compare the conditions that some tennis players face with athletes in other sports, including in the NFL. Kyrgios is the highest profile name involved in the complaint against tennis’ authoritiesGetty Djokovic co-founded the PTPA alongside Pospisil in 2021Getty Pospisil said: “I’m one of the more fortunate players and I’ve still had to sleep in my car when travelling to matches early on in my career. “Imagine an NFL player being told that he had to sleep in his car at an away game? It’s absurd and would never happen, obviously. No other major sport treats its athletes this way. “The governing bodies force us into unfair contracts, impose inhumane schedules, and punish us for speaking out. The legal actions taken today are about fixing tennis for today’s players and future generations. “It’s time for accountability, real reform, and a system that protects and empowers players. All stakeholders deserve a sport that operates with fairness and integrity.” Ahmad Nassar, Executive Director of the PTPA, suggested in a statement of his own that ‘tennis is broken’. “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 statement read. The PTPA’s executive director has claimed that ‘tennis is broken’Getty “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. “Fixing these systemic failures isn’t about disrupting tennis, it’s about saving it for the generations of players and fans to come.” In response, the WTA said: “The PTPA’s action is both regrettable and misguided, and we will defend our position vigorously in due course. “The WTA is a nonprofit, membership organization that exists to advance women’s tennis on behalf of players, tournaments, and fans. WTA players, as equal members alongside tournaments, have an essential and influential voice in the governance of the WTA. “Every decision taken at the WTA Board level includes the input of players via their elected Board representatives, and athletes receive substantial financial rewards and other benefits from participation in the WTA. “It is this governance model, supported by generations of athletes, that has allowed the WTA to achieve considerable progress on behalf of our players. “Among many examples, in recent years we have committed to a $400mi
The player organisation set up by Novak Djokovic has launched legal action against the governing bodies of tennis, accusing them of ‘systemic abuse and corruption’.
Founded by Djokovic and soon-to-be-retired Canadian star Vasek Pospisil in 2021, the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) cites its mission as supporting and safeguarding tennis pros.
But it has found driving change from outside the system very difficult, and is now taking a legal route against the ATP, WTA, International Tennis Federation (ITF) and International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), which oversees the sport’s anti-doping and anti-corruption system.
As many as 12 current and former players, including Pospisil and Nick Kyrgios, are listed as plaintiffs along with the PTPA.
The PTPA’s statement, released on Tuesday, March 18, read: “Following years of good-faith efforts to reform professional tennis, the Professional Tennis Players Association has taken decisive legal action.
“Today, the PTPA, alongside over a dozen professional tennis players and on behalf of the entire player population, and renowned international law firm and historical player advocates Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, initiated a series of legal actions in the US, UK and EU against the sport’s governing bodies.
“The lawsuits expose systemic abuse, anti-competitive practices, and a blatant disregard for player welfare that have persisted for decades.”
Among the PTPA’s complaints are the suppression of competition between tournaments, which it says reduces prize money, a ‘draconian’ ranking points system, an unsustainable schedule and financial exploitation of players.
It also accused tennis’ governing bodies of disregarding player welfare by forcing athletes to compete late at night and in extreme heat, while the PTPA branded anti-doping practices an invasion of privacy.
According to ESPN, in the 162-page complaint filed in the Southern District of New York, the PTPA and associated players further accused the ATP, WTA, ITF and ITIA of working together as a ‘cartel’ and colluding with one another.
Pospisil, a former Wimbledon doubles champion and singles quarter-finalist, suggested the action is ‘not just about money,’ but about ‘fairness, safety, and basic human dignity.’
He went on to compare the conditions that some tennis players face with athletes in other sports, including in the NFL.
Pospisil said: “I’m one of the more fortunate players and I’ve still had to sleep in my car when travelling to matches early on in my career.
“Imagine an NFL player being told that he had to sleep in his car at an away game? It’s absurd and would never happen, obviously. No other major sport treats its athletes this way.
“The governing bodies force us into unfair contracts, impose inhumane schedules, and punish us for speaking out. The legal actions taken today are about fixing tennis for today’s players and future generations.
“It’s time for accountability, real reform, and a system that protects and empowers players. All stakeholders deserve a sport that operates with fairness and integrity.”
Ahmad Nassar, Executive Director of the PTPA, suggested in a statement of his own that ‘tennis is broken’.
“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 statement read.
“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.
“Fixing these systemic failures isn’t about disrupting tennis, it’s about saving it for the generations of players and fans to come.”
In response, the WTA said: “The PTPA’s action is both regrettable and misguided, and we will defend our position vigorously in due course.
“The WTA is a nonprofit, membership organization that exists to advance women’s tennis on behalf of players, tournaments, and fans. WTA players, as equal members alongside tournaments, have an essential and influential voice in the governance of the WTA.
“Every decision taken at the WTA Board level includes the input of players via their elected Board representatives, and athletes receive substantial financial rewards and other benefits from participation in the WTA.
“It is this governance model, supported by generations of athletes, that has allowed the WTA to achieve considerable progress on behalf of our players.
“Among many examples, in recent years we have committed to a $400million 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 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 and ITIA have not commented when asked by talkSPORT.
talkSPORT has also contacted the ATP for comment.
