A tennis players’ union co-founded by Novak Djokovic has started legal action against the sport’s governing bodies, with the ATP hitting back and stating the union has ‘chosen misinformation over progress.’

The Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA), which was founded in 2021 and cites its mission as supporting and safeguarding professional tennis players, has filed papers at the United States District Court in New York.

The lawsuit says “professional tennis players are stuck in a rigged game” which gives them “limited control over their own careers and brands”.

Among the PTPA’s complaints are the suppression of competition between tournaments, which it says reduces prize money, a draconian ranking points system, an unsustainable schedule and financial exploitation of players.

It also accused the governing bodies of disregarding player welfare by forcing athletes to compete late at night and in extreme heat, while the PTPA branded anti-doping practices an invasion of privacy.

The complaint is being brought by the PTPA and 12 players – including Djokovic’s co-founder Vasek Pospisil and Nick Kyrgios – “on behalf of the entire player population”.

They are taking action against the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), International Tennis Federation (ITF) and International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).

The ATP and WTA have released statements rejecting the claims made by the PTPA.

Executive director of the PTPA Ahmad Nassar 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.”

Pospisil, a former Wimbledon doubles champion and quarter-finalist in singles, 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 travelling 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, obviously. 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.”

The International Tennis Integrity Authority has told Sky Sports News it has received the claim from the Professional Tennis Players’ Association, while the ITF added: “As a not-for-profit organisation and global guardian of the game, the ITF’s purpose is to ensure the growth and sustainability of tennis as a global sport. We reinvest 90% of our income into the global development of the game, via our 213 member National Associations.”

ATP: PTPA has chosen misinformation over progress

An ATP statement in response read…

“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.

“Since the inception of the ATP Tour in 1990, ATP has played a leading role in the global growth of men’s professional tennis. 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 $70m 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.

“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.”

WTA: PTPA action is misguided and regrettable

The WTA echoed the ATP, saying: “The PTPA’s action is both regrettable and misguided, and we will defend our position vigorously in due course.

“The WTA is fully committed to continuing to develop and evolve the structureand 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.”