Carlos Alcaraz Distances Himself from PTPA Lawsuit Against Tennis Governing Bodies
World number three, Carlos Alcaraz, expressed his surprise and confusion after learning that his comments were included in the class-action lawsuit filed by the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA). The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, accuses the ATP, WTA, International Tennis Federation (ITF), and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) of engaging in anti-competitive practices and neglecting player welfare. Alcaraz, who had criticized the demanding tennis calendar in the past, was quoted in the 163-page legal document, but he made it clear that he was not aware of his inclusion in the lawsuit.
“It was surprising for me, because no one had told me about it,” Alcaraz told reporters at the Miami Open. “Yesterday I saw on social media that they put something I said in a press conference in the documents and I wasn’t aware of it. I honestly don’t support that letter, because I wasn’t aware of it.”
The PTPA, an advocacy group founded by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil, claimed to have spoken to over 300 players, including top professionals, who supported the lawsuit. However, Alcaraz made it clear that while he agrees with some aspects of the lawsuit, he does not support how it was handled. “There are things I agree with and there are other things I don’t agree with,” Alcaraz added. “Anyway, the main thing is I don’t support what was done.”
The lawsuit primarily focuses on the governing bodies’ prize money distribution, the ATP and WTA ranking systems, and the grueling tennis calendar that the PTPA argues undermines player welfare. The ATP has rejected the PTPA’s claims, accusing the group of “division and distraction.” Similarly, the WTA has called the lawsuit “regrettable and misguided.”
While some players like Australian Nick Kyrgios, who is named as one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, have hailed the legal action as a crucial moment for players to make their voices heard, Alcaraz has distanced himself from the controversy. The young Spaniard’s comments underscore the ongoing divide in the tennis world over how best to address player concerns about the sport’s structure and the role of player representation.
As the lawsuit continues to unfold, Alcaraz’s stance on the matter highlights the complexity of the issues at hand and the varying perspectives among top players.
