The ATP and WTA have both issued responses after the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) launched legal action against tennis’ governing bodies.
Both tours dismissed the PTPA’s accusations, with the ATP proclaiming that the organisation has “struggled to establish a meaningful role in tennis.”
On Tuesday, the PTPA initiated a lawsuit against the ATP and WTA tours, the International Tennis Federation (ITF), and International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
The organisation is a players’ union that was founded in 2020 by tennis legend Novak Djokovic and former Canadian pro Vasek Pospisil.
In a statement, the PTPA asserted: “The lawsuits expose systemic abuse, anti-competitive practices, and a blatant disregard for player welfare that have persisted for decades.
“The ATP, WTA, ITF, and ITIA operate as a cartel by implementing a number of draconian, interlocking anticompetitive restraints and abusive practices.”
The 163-page complaint was filed in the United States District Court in New York, where the PTPA is seeking a jury trial. Co-founder Pospisil and Nick Kyrgios are two of 12 current or former professional players listed as plaintiffs.
The PTPA has made the claim that the lawsuit has been “backed overwhelmingly by the top 250+ men’s and women’s players including a majority of the top 20 players.”
The ATP fired back by claiming the PTPA “has consistently chosen division and distraction through misinformation over progress.”
“Since the inception of the ATP Tour in 1990, ATP has played a leading role in the global growth of men’s professional tennis,” the ATP statement read.
“Throughout more than three decades, ATP’s 50-50 governance structure has ensured that players and tournaments have an equal voice in shaping the sport’s direction at the highest level.
“Recent years have brought about transformative changes for players. The introduction of a prize money formula, record-setting on-site prize money, and new and expanded Bonus Pools have contributed to a major increase in player compensation (up $70 million in the past five years).
“The introduction of annual, independent audits has given players full transparency over tournament financials at ATP events. ATP’s Baseline programme has introduced minimum guaranteed income for the Top 250-ranked singles players, providing unprecedented financial security in professional tennis.
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“Contributions to the player pension fund have surged, while prize money at ATP Challenger Tour events has more than doubled – reinforcing ATP’s commitment to strengthening the player pathway.
“These advancements have been achieved through ATP’s governance structure, with every key decision made with player input and by their elected representatives. Meanwhile, players – as independent contractors – have retained extensive control over their schedules, allowing them the flexibility to compete, train, and monetise their careers as they see fit.
“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.
“We strongly reject the premise of the PTPA’s claims, believe the case to be entirely without merit, and will vigorously defend our position. 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 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 $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 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.”
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