Djokovic Disagrees with Some Aspects of PTPA Lawsuit Against Governing Bodies
Novak Djokovic revealed on Thursday that he disagrees with certain elements of the class-action lawsuit filed by the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) against the sport’s governing bodies. The lawsuit, which was filed in a New York court on Tuesday, accuses the ATP, WTA, International Tennis Federation (ITF), and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) of engaging in anti-competitive practices.
While Djokovic, who co-founded the PTPA in 2020 with Canadian player Vasek Pospisil, is not among the 12 players listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit, he expressed his thoughts on the legal action during a press conference at the Miami Open. Djokovic explained that while he agrees with certain points of the lawsuit, particularly in regard to issues of player welfare and representation, he does not fully agree with all the claims. “There are things that I agree with in the lawsuit, and then there are also things that I don’t agree with,” Djokovic said.
The lawsuit primarily challenges the ATP and WTA Tour’s prize money distribution, ranking systems, and the “unsustainable” 11-month tennis calendar that the PTPA argues disregards player welfare. Djokovic also mentioned that while he disagreed with some of the lawsuit’s language, he recognized that the legal team behind it was using strong terminology to achieve their intended impact.
The ATP and WTA have rejected the claims made by the PTPA. The ATP has accused the group of causing “division and distraction,” while the WTA has labeled the lawsuit as “unfortunate and misguided.” Djokovic, however, emphasized his long-standing commitment to improving player representation and influence, noting that his efforts extend beyond just the issue of prize money.
“I’ve never been a fan of division in our sport, but I’ve always fought for better representation and positioning of the players globally,” Djokovic said. He believes that player influence is still not where it should be in the sport.
Other players have also weighed in on the lawsuit. World number three, Carlos Alcaraz, distanced himself from the action, stating he was surprised to learn of it. In contrast, Australian player Nick Kyrgios hailed the lawsuit as a “special moment” for players to have their voices heard. U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff and current title holder Aryna Sabalenka expressed that they had not reviewed the lawsuit in detail but agreed with the idea of players receiving a larger share of revenue from tournaments in the future. However, Gauff also acknowledged the privilege of being a professional athlete, noting that there are people in the world doing much harder work than tennis players.
The lawsuit is shaping up to be a significant moment in tennis, as it addresses longstanding concerns over player representation, prize money, and the demanding nature of the sport’s calendar. As the case unfolds, the debate over how to best support players while maintaining the integrity of the sport is likely to continue.
