‘Corrupt, illegal and abusive’ – Tennis civil war erupts as Novak Djokovic-founded union lashes out against big bosses
TENNIS erupted into civil war as Novak Djokovic’s player union launched a bombshell legal action against four governing bodies, accusing them of corruption and abuse.
The Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) claim a “cartel” of sporting bodies are running a “corrupt, illegal and abusive system”, adding: Tennis is broken.
Novak Djokovic was a key force in the formation of the PTPA in 2020[/caption]
A 163-page lawsuit filed at the United States District Court of New York claims the quartet of organisations have been employing “anti-competitive practices”.
It is alleged that “a blatant disregard for player welfare” has “persisted for decades”.
And the PTPA, backed by Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios, say the defendants “systemically abuse, silence and exploit players to drive personal profits through monopolistic control”.
The union – formed in 2020 with Serbian superstar Djokovic, 37, acting as a key driving force –made a number of explosive claims.
+ Players are forced to compete in 100-degree heat – they cite one individual who collapsed on court in Miami and was then hospitalised – and endure matches that finish at 3am.
+ Competitors use “injury-inducing tennis balls” which have led to “chronic wrist, elbow, and shoulder injuries”.
+ An “inhumane” 11-month, six-continent schedule is “unsustainable”, too expensive and leaves “little to no room for players to rest and recover”.
+ Prize money is capped and top stars are exploited financially as they are “forced to sign over their name, image and likeness rights for zero compensation”.
+ The ranking point system is “draconian” and it stops players competing in “alternative events that could exist in a free market”.
+ One professional star claims he was forced to sleep in his CAR because he was not earning enough money to pay for a hotel.
+ Players are subjected to “invasive searches” and confiscations of personal mobiles, “random” middle-of-the-night drug tests and “interrogations without legal representation”.
The PTPA launched proceedings in the US, UK and European Union against the men’s and women’s Tours – the ATP and WTA – as well as the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
They claim their “decisive legal action” is “backed overwhelmingly” by the top 250 male and female pros, including “a majority of the top-20 players”.
The PTPA, who are seeking a jury trial, said: “Professional tennis players are stuck in a rigged game.
“Not on the court, where fierce competition between players delights millions of fans worldwide, but off of it, where players are forced to endure grueling schedules, capped earnings, abusive and invasive investigations and discipline, and have limited control over their own careers and brands.”
The four Grand Slams — which includes Wimbledon — have been branded as co-conspirators in the civil complaint.
Tennis stars following in parents’ footsteps
TALK about pressure…
These rising stars are all making their way in tennis.
But they have got something in common – they’ve got a famous parent who also made their name in the sport.
So who are the players hoping to follow in the footsteps of their tennis mums and dads?
- My dad is one of the greatest tennis players ever… but he’s not my idol
- My mum won US Open aged 16 then Wimbledon… but you won’t know it from my surname
- My Czech dad won Australian Open and my sisters are elite golfers… but I’m playing for different country
- My millionaire dad played with Federer… but I’ve reached three Grand Slam finals
- My dad earned £1m and got to French Open final… but I’ve already surpassed his career
- My record-breaking dad is in tennis Hall of Fame and won Wimbledon… but I’m aiming to emulate his achievements
The PTPA continued: “Players seek a fair, transparent system that prioritises their rights, health and safety over the unchecked authority of the sport’s governing bodies.
“Top tennis players earn a fraction of what top athletes in other sports earn.
“Tennis players are paid only 17% of revenues as compared to other sports like golf, basketball and American Football, which range between 35-50%-plus.”
Ahmad Nassar, an executive director of the PTPA, said: “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.
“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.”
Canadian doubles ace Vasek Pospisil, a PTPA co-founder, said: “This is not just about money. It’s about fairness, safety, and basic human dignity.
“I’m one of the more fortunate players and I’ve still had to sleep in my car when traveling 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. 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.”
SunSport has contacted the WTA Tour for a response while the ITF and ITIA declined to comment.
In a statement, the ATP said: “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.”
