Tennis Shake-Up: The PTPA’s Bold Lawsuit Against the ATP and WTA
A New Chapter in Tennis Governance
For decades, the centralized control of professional tennis has been the subject of growing criticism.[1] Players and analysts alike have pointed to a lack of equitable revenue sharing and limited input from athletes regarding the sport’s evolution.[2] The PTPA, established in 2020 by Novak Djokovic, is an independent organization dedicated to advocating for the rights and interests of professional tennis players.[3]Unlike the ATP and WTA, which serve as both governing bodies and tournament organizers, the PTPA focuses solely on player representation, aiming to address issues such as revenue distribution, working conditions, and governance transparency.[4]
What is PTPA Fighting For
On March 18, 2025, the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) launched its campaign for reform by filing lawsuits against the sport’s primary governing bodies: the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), International Tennis Federation (ITF), and International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) in the United Kingdom, European Union and United States District Court.[5] Supported by over 250 players, including a majority of the Top 20-ranked athletes on both the men’s and women’s tours, and represented by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, the PTPA aims at seeking structural reforms, including increased revenue sharing, a revised schedule, and enhanced protections for player health and rights.[6]
The PTPA’s allegations are multifaceted. The lawsuits first assert that the ATP, WTA, and affiliated bodies operate as a “cartel,” engaging in anticompetitive practices that suppress player earnings and limit professional opportunities.[7] The organization highlights that players receive approximately 17% of tennis revenues, a stark contrast to the 35-50% or higher revenue shares seen in comparable professional sports such as basketball and golf.[8] A notable example cited by ESPN depicted that the 2024 U.S. Open generated $12.8 million from a single specialty cocktail, exceeding the combined prize money awarded to both singles champions.[9] The PTPA argues that such financial imbalances reflect a systemic failure to equitably distribute the sport’s profits.[10]
Beyond financial grievances, the lawsuits also criticize the current 11-month competitive season, citing instances of matches played in extreme heat or concluding in the early hours of the morning.[11] Additionally, the PTPA alleges that players’ Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights are exploited without adequate compensation and that the ITIA’s anti-doping protocols infringe upon privacy through overly invasive measures.[12]
The ATP and WTA Clap Back
The ATP issued a statement on March 18, 2025, describing the PTPA’s claims as “entirely without merit.”[13] The ATP emphasized recent advancements in player support, including a $70 million increase in compensation over the past five years, the establishment of the Baseline Programme guaranteeing minimum income for the Top 250-ranked singles players, and a doubling of prize money on the ATP Challenger Tour.[14] The statement also highlighted the organization’s 50-50 governance model, which balances the interests of players and tournaments, and accused the PTPA of fostering division rather than collaboration.[15]
Similarly, the WTA has labeled the lawsuit “regrettable and misguided,” emphasizing its nonprofit status and equal player representation through elected Board members.[16] The Association points to a $400 million rise in player compensation, progress toward pay equality at major events, and pioneering maternity benefits as hallmarks of its governance model.[17] The WTA suggests that the PTPA’s approach undermines collective progress for players and the sport.[18]
Prospects
This dispute remains in its early stages, but it underscores a fundamental tension between players seeking greater autonomy and governing bodies defending established frameworks.[19]
Footnotes
