The Serbian-led association accuses the ATP, WTA, ITF and ITIA of operating as a cartel and exploiting players with unfair contracts and an unsustainable schedule

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Djokovic and PTPA denounce major tennis bodies for abuse of power

The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), founded by Novak Djokovic, has filed a lawsuit against the four most influential bodies in world tennis: ATP, WTA, ITF and ITIA. According to the complaint, these entities have operated as a cartel, abusing their monopoly control to exploit players.

In an official statement, the PTPA claims that these bodies have run tennis over the past decades with practices that systematically silence and harm players for financial gain.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the entire player community, is supported by the majority of the men's and women's top 250, including the majority of the top 20 in the rankings.

Key complaints from the PTPA

Canadian player Vasek Pospisil, a member of the union's executive committee, stressed that the fight is not just about money, but about justice, safety and dignity.

"I am one of the luckiest players and yet I had to sleep in my car when travelling to matches at the beginning of my career," Pospisil confessed.

In addition, the PTPA alleges that tennis governing bodies impose abusive contracts, inhumane schedules and punish players who speak out. Among the union's main allegations are the following:

- Financial constraints: the bodies restrict prize money and control players' off-court earnings. In addition, tennis players are forced to give up their name, image and likeness (NIL) rights without compensation.

- Unsustainable schedule: The professional tennis season lasts 11 months, leaving little room for rest and recuperation. Players must manage their own logistics and travel, increasing their physical and mental toll.

- Extreme playing conditions: Athletes have been forced to compete in extreme temperatures, play matches until 3 a.m., and play with different ball types each week, resulting in chronic wrist, elbow and shoulder injuries.

- Lack of privacy and excessive monitoring: Players are subjected to invasive searches of personal devices, unexpected doping tests at extreme hours, and interrogations without legal representation.

A needed change in professional tennis

The PTPA's complaint seeks reform to ensure fair labour rights and decent working conditions for players. With the backing of leading figures in world tennis, the union is pushing for accountability of the sport's regulatory bodies and measures to protect tennis players at all levels of competition.