Mumbai: Tensions within the tennis community have escalated significantly following a lawsuit initiated by the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA), co-founded by Novak Djokovic, against the sport's governing bodies, which they allege operate as a "cartel."

Amid criticism regarding the perceived favoritism shown to world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in his doping case, the ATP, which oversees the men's tour, now finds itself in legal proceedings alongside the WTA (women’s tour), ITF (International Tennis Federation), and ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) concerning various governance matters. The lawsuit, lodged in a federal court in New York on Tuesday, includes a dozen current and former players as plaintiffs and identifies the four Grand Slam organizers as "co-conspirators."

Founded in 2020 by 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic and former top-25 Canadian player Vasek Pospisil, the PTPA asserts that it has engaged with over 250 male and female players, including a significant number of the top 20, who have expressed their support.

"For far too long, players have been compelled to endure a flawed system that neglects our well-being, undervalues our contributions, and fails to provide us with genuine representation," Pospisil, who is also among the plaintiffs, stated on X.

The 163-page lawsuit addresses a range of issues, including limitations on player compensation, restrictions on a free market for tournaments and earnings, and "unsustainable" scheduling practices. It also criticizes the ITIA for being "arbitrary and selective," highlighting Sinner's lenient treatment following a positive doping test.

Player compensation

The legal complaint states that the tours allocate less than 20% of their revenue to the players. It also points out the limitations on prize money from tournaments, which, despite frequent increases by the tours and Grand Slams, remain capped. For instance, the lawsuit references a situation in 2012 when billionaire Larry Ellison, the owner of the BNP Paribas Open, attempted to raise the tournament's prize pool beyond the allowable limit set by the tours, but his proposal was denied.

No free market

The PTPA further alleges that these organizations are conspiring to limit players' chances to compete and generate income outside of the official tours. This includes unsanctioned tournaments, exhibitions, and the imposition of restrictions on sponsorship agreements, allowing only a few selected companies to provide equipment such as racquets, bags, and apparel.

The lawsuit notes, "For instance, if a player were presented with a lucrative endorsement opportunity from Louis Vuitton or Gucci to appear on center court at Indian Wells with a racket bag featuring their logo, the player would be compelled to decline the offer."

Scheduling concerns

The congested schedule, featuring more than 50 tournaments throughout the ATP and WTA seasons, along with an increased number of events at the Challenger and ITF levels, has become a topic of concern among many players. Elite athletes are required to participate in mandatory tournaments, while lower-ranked competitors must consistently compete at these lower tiers just to make a living.

The lawsuit brings attention to the penalties imposed for player withdrawals, noting that “the Tour allows players to withdraw from tournaments only twice per season before incurring fines.” It also addresses the ranking system, citing the example of Iga Swiatek, who lost her No. 1 position to Aryna Sabalenka after missing three tournaments last year. The lawsuit asserts, “A player’s ranking is influenced not only by their performance in Tour events but also by their willingness to compete.”

‘Selective’ Sinner case

The lawsuit also aimed at the ITIA, the governing body for anti-doping and anti-corruption in tennis, criticizing its "heavy-handed approach" in handling players and specific cases. Additionally, it highlighted the "arbitrary and selective" manner in which Jannik Sinner, the Italian world No. 1, avoided a lengthy suspension despite testing positive on two occasions last year.

"The investigation did not extend for over a year concerning a prominent player who had not raised any concerns about the cartel," the lawsuit states.

On Wednesday, all the organizations mentioned released statements denying the allegations made by the PTPA.

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