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Los Angeles Times
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Opinion: Is Tennis Broken? Unpacking the corruption allegations, and how the sport may change
Although accusations of corruption are certainly not new in the world of global sports — encompassing several notable incidents like the landmark 2015 FIFA World Cup case, and the 'BountyGate' scandal in the National Football League — it's not often that you hear a players' association call their respective league a 'cartel.' On March 18th, 2024 , the relatively new Professional Tennis Players Association filed a lawsuit against the ATP Tour, WTA tour, the International Tennis Federation, and the International Tennis Integrity Agency, alleging that these governing bodies have violated players' rights through a rigged, restrictive economic system that keeps their earnings low. The lawsuit specifically claims that players have been forced into 'grueling schedules, capped earnings, abusive and invasive investigations and discipline, and have limited control over their own careers and brands,' due to 'a cartel of tour organizers and tournament operators.' In this article, we'll unpack the serious allegations rattling some of the largest tennis organizations on the planet, and discuss whether or not tennis truly is broken and in need of change. One of the most controversial arguments within the lawsuit is that the governing bodies overseeing Tennis' largest tournaments – those being the U.S. Open, the French Open, the Australian Open, and Wimbledon – have in fact conspired to 'fix' player earnings. The lawsuit claims that these Tours and governing bodies restrict prize money, take player's NIL rights without proper compensation, and restrict players from earning income off the court. In response, the WTA Tour and ATP Tour both released statements promising to defend against the case: with the WGA calling it 'baseless,' 'regrettable,' and 'misguided,' and claiming to have 'committed to a $400 million increase in player compensation' in prior years. The lengthy antitrust suit also focuses heavily on the ranking system , claiming that the system forces players to compete only in specific tournaments under the threat of fines for competing in outside competition. Other allegations include the claim that the governing bodies routinely put player health and safety at risk, forcing the players to compete in extreme heat or late into the night, as well as the claim that the International Tennis Integrity Agency is subjecting players to intrusive personal searches and lengthy interrogations within their anti-doping policies. Ultimately, the players behind this lawsuit claim to be fighting against not only the exploitation of players, but the competitive disadvantages ingrained in the current Tennis system itself. ' There is a complete and utter lack of competition that exists in professional tennis, and we believe by filing these actions, we will ultimately inject the kind of competition that will be fair to the players, to the fans and actually to the people (who) operate the system,' said lawyer Jim Quinn for the PTPA. Although it's far too early to know where this lawsuit will end up, the allegations raised within the suit offer a glimpse of major restructuring efforts that could occur in the future, if the sport truly is 'broken,' as claimed by Ahmad Nassar, PTPA executive director. If tennis is restructured as a result of this lawsuit, the sport's next era should begi n with a reformation of governance and leadership within the ATP, WTA, and ITF, with a goal to create a more unified, player-centric approach to decision making. This includes restructuring prize money distribution to allow more flexibility and competition among tournaments, and revising the player ranking system to give players more freedom to compete without penalty. Improving player welfare would also be key by ensuring that tennis organizations provide sufficient mental health resources and support for players. Additionally, establishing a stronger role for the PTPA in decision-making processes could provide athletes with a voice in governance and allow for collective bargaining on contracts, prize money, and benefits. It would increase opportunities for players to have a say in the policies that affect their careers, from tournament scheduling to contract negotiations. Reforming anti-doping and anti-corruption measures to ensure fairness, as well as fostering a culture of fairness and respect for all players, would also be crucial if the lawsuit forces action. Ultimately, these shocking allegations of corruption point to a future where substantial reforms are necessary to restore fairness within the sport — since the alleged risks of the current system may alienate both fans and players alike. As we wait to see how the PTPA's fight concludes, it's important to imagine what the future of the sport will look like, and consider whether tennis can ever fully escape these allegations of unfair competition and exploitation. Related
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tennis world saddened after Novak Djokovic goes public with shock announcement
Novak Djokovic has stunned the tennis world after announcing he won't play the Italian Open next month, despite a horror run on clay so far this season. The 24-time grand slam champion has lost in the first round in Monte Carlo and Madrid, and will be desperate to turn things around before the French Open. But he'll skip a key lead-up event to the grand slam and won't play in Rome. Tournament organisers announced on social media on Tuesday (local time): "Novak Djokovic has announced he won't take part to IBI25." No explanation was offered as to why the World No.5 won't be playing, but many have suggested it could be a boycott of sorts. The Italian Open will be the first tournament that World No.1 Jannik Sinner plays after his three-month suspension. Many found it very interesting that the ATP and ITF lined Sinner's suspension up with a return in front of his home fans in Rome, after he was banned for three months for testing positive to a banned steroid. The Djokovic-led Professional Tennis Players Association publicly criticised the lenient punishment in February, saying: "The 'system' is not a system. It's a club. Supposed case-by-case discretion is, in fact, merely cover for tailored deals, unfair treatment, and inconsistent rulings. "It's not just the different results for different players. It's the lack of transparency. The lack of process. The lack of consistency. The lack of credibility in the alphabet soup of agencies charged with regulating our sports and athletes." Djokovic has also suggested he didn't agree with such a light ban for Sinner, and his withdrawal from the Italian Open has now raised plenty of eyebrows. Speaking after his loss in Madrid last week, the 37-year-old admitted he's having to come to terms with a new reality. "I've had a few of these this year where I lose in the first round, unfortunately," Djokovic sighed. "Still my level of tennis is not where I would like it to be. It could be (my last Madrid Open), it could be. I'm not sure if I will come back. So, I don't know, I don't know what to say. I mean, I'll come back, maybe not as a player. I hope it's not, but it could be. 'I was hoping I can play one more match than I played in Monte Carlo. (It's) kind of a new reality for me, I have to say, trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament. 'It's a completely different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years of professional tennis. It's a challenge for me mentally to really face these kinds of sensations on the court - going out early now regularly in tournaments.' The news that he won't play in Rome left tennis fans surprised and saddened on Tuesday. Many moved to point out the detail with Sinner's return, suggesting it might not be a coincidence. How does he expect to compete at Roland Garros if he barely has any matches on clay? He has played 2 matches, & lost all 4 sets — NMH (@nosmh_x) April 29, 2025 I don't blame him after getting concussed last year and the whole steroid scandal surrounding the world #1 — Darth Caul (@DarthCaul) April 29, 2025 I hate to say this but maybe it is time to call it a day for Diokovic. He is a true champion and will be forever remembered as one of the greatest if not the greatest. His form is way below the level needed right now. — Domenico Maglia (@DomenicoMaglia) April 29, 2025 Sinner is back, Djokovic goes into hiding 😭 — Tennis In the Park 🇺🇦 (@TennisInthePar1) April 29, 2025 Such a bummer to hear about Novak's withdrawal from Rome! We know he's making the best choice for his health and future victories! Let's rally behind him and keep up the support, everyone! He's still the GOAT in our hearts! — Djokovic's Devoted (@DjokerDevotee) April 29, 2025 Djokovic pulling out of Rome basically tells you he's not overly optimistic about RG. That said, he's reached the last 6 Wimbledon finals that's he's played. He should be pumped to get back on the grass. — Tennis Connected (@TennisConnected) April 29, 2025 Very wise decision. However before FO, should play atleast one smaller tournament to get the rytham back. — Djoker Nole (@Sumanbhowmik2) April 29, 2025 Meanwhile, Alex de Minaur's path in Madrid has been made a lot easier after World No.2 Alexander Zverev suffered a shock 7-5 6-2 loss to Francisco Cerundolo. De Minaur advanced to his fifth-consecutive Masters 1000 fourth round appearance by beating Denis Shapovalov 6-3 7-6 (7-3). With Zverev and Djokovic crashing out early and Carlos Alcaraz absent due to injury, de Minaur has a golden opportunity. The Aussie recorded his 24th win of the year to draw level with Alcaraz for most on the ATP Tour. "He's got tremendous firepower from every part of the court, and I had to do my best to neutralise it, and not let him dictate as much as he could," said de Minaur, who has won all five matches against Shapovalov. with agencies
USA Today
20-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Professional Tennis Players Association likens ATP, WTA to a cartel in federal lawsuit
Professional Tennis Players Association likens ATP, WTA to a cartel in federal lawsuit Show Caption Hide Caption Billie Jean King on the state of U.S. tennis and women's sports Hall of Famer Billie Jean King stops by to talk all things tennis and her partnership with Dove. Sports Seriously The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has filed lawsuits against major tennis organizations, including the ATP and WTA, alleging antitrust violations and exploitation of players. The PTPA, which claims support from over 250 players, argues that these organizations act as a "cartel" to limit player earnings and control the tennis schedule. The lawsuit specifically criticizes the organizations for capping prize money, restricting off-court earning opportunities, and implementing a demanding tournament schedule that jeopardizes player health. The PTPA also accuses the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) of employing overly aggressive and intrusive investigative tactics, including excessive drug testing and invasive searches. The Professional Tennis Players Association sued several organizations, including the ATP, WTA and International Tennis Federation, likening them to a "cartel," alleging several antitrust violations, systemic abuse, collusion to reduce competition, exploiting players financially, and forcing athletes to play an unsustainable schedule. Court documents filed in New York City, London and Brussels and obtained by USA TODAY Sports, name 22 players, including Vasek Pospisil, Nick Kyrgios, Sorana Cirstea and Reilly Opelka as plaintiffs, who demand a jury trial. "Tennis is broken," Ahmad Nassar, executive director of the PTPA, said in a statement. "Behind the glamorous veneer that the Defendants promote, players are trapped in an unfair system that exploits their talent, suppresses their earnings, and jeopardizes 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." The Professional Tennis Players Association, which was co-founded by 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and Pospisil in 2019, says their mandate is to unite and mobilize "tennis players to foster transparency and fairness in professional tennis." The 162-page lawsuit filed Wednesday details some of those complaints and the PTPA says they are backed by more than 250 players, many of whom are ranked in the top 20. "Defendants do so by capping the prize money tournaments award and limiting players' ability to earn money off the court," the lawsuit says. "Rather than being determined by market forces, players' earnings are instead subject to limitations agreed upon by the defendants and their co-conspirators." Another grievance in the lawsuit is the tour schedule, which the lawsuit says the men's tour, the ATP, "schedules an annual slate of over 60 tournaments in which male players play," leaving little time to rest and recover. "Defendants do so by capping the prize money tournaments award and limiting players' ability to earn money off the court. Rather than being determined by market forces, players' earnings are instead subject to limitations agreed upon by the defendants and their co-conspirators." The lawsuit says that four Grand Slam tournaments, the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open, are co-conspirators with the defendants who use the tournaments "to enrich themselves at the players' expense, to the detriment of fans and the game." The International Tennis Integrity Agency, which says it tries to safeguard tennis to make sure the sport is free from corruption and doping, is also a defendant in the case. "The ITIA's aggressive, unrelenting, and, at times, illegal investigative processes subject players to dozens of drug tests (both blood and urine), invasive searches of their personal cell phones, hours-long interrogations without counsel, and harassment by unaccountable and ill-trained investigators," the lawsuit says.
The Independent
19-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Nick Kyrgios hails player-backed lawsuit as ‘special moment' for tennis
Nick Kyrgios, one of the signatures to the Professional Tennis Players Association's landmark lawsuit against tennis' governing bodies, has described the legal action as a 'special moment' for the sport. The former Wimbledon finalist is among twelve players to formally put their names to the PTPA's wide-ranging legal claim, filed in the UK, US, and EU on Tuesday, against the men's and women's tours, the International Tennis Federation, and the International Tennis Integrity Agency, which oversees the sport's anti-doping system. The PTPA - an association set up by Novak Djokovic and Canadian player Vasek Pospisil in 2020 - issued a statement in which it claims to speak 'on behalf of the entire player population', and has a sweeping list of complaints. "I felt people knew something was going on behind the scenes for a long time," Kyrgios told Sky Sports."We wanted to do something like this for the future of tennis. "This will be a special moment in tennis, for sure. Things needed to change. It's a big day for tennis." The lawsuit primarily argues that the governing bodies impose restrictions on player earnings and suppress competition within the tennis calendar, such as by enforcing artificial caps on individual tournaments' prize money, meaning tennis lags behind other sports in what it pays its top athletes. The claim also accuses the governing bodies of mistreatment of players, including forcing them to compete in unsafe weather conditions and alleged violations of privacy in anti-doping protocols. "The PTPA's first goal was to get the players to be heard,' Kyrgios added. 'I feel like we don't get heard. For instance, we're using different balls pretty much every week, things that absolutely shouldn't be happening in a high, professional sport. "I don't think players ultimately have been very happy with what they earn on the tour comparatively to other sports and that's definitely one of the main reasons." The PTPA has often found itself at odds with the sport's governing bodies, and has struggled to enact meaningful change since it was founded. The landmark lawsuit has the potential to reshape tennis in line with other major sports and leagues such as the NBA, in which players receive a greater share of revenue and more autonomy, although not without a lengthy legal battle.
The Independent
18-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Novak Djokovic's player union launches legal action over ‘inhumane' treatment
The player organisation set up by Novak Djokovic has launched legal action against tennis' governing bodies. Founded by Djokovic and Canada's Vasek Pospisil in 2021, the Professional Tennis Players Association cites its mission as supporting and safeguarding professional tennis players. But it has found driving change from outside the system very difficult and is now taking a legal route against the ATP, WTA, International Tennis Federation and International Tennis Integrity Agency, which oversees the sport's anti-doping and anti-corruption system. Twelve current and former players, including Djokovic, Pospisil and Nick Kyrgios, are listed as plaintiffs along with the PTPA. A statement read: 'Following years of good-faith efforts to reform professional tennis, the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has taken decisive legal action. 'Today, the PTPA, alongside over a dozen professional tennis players and on behalf of the entire player population, and renowned international law firm and historical player advocates Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, initiated a series of legal actions in the US, UK and EU against the sport's governing bodies – the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), Women's Tennis Association (WTA), International Tennis Federation (ITF), and International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). 'The lawsuits expose systemic abuse, anti-competitive practices, and a blatant disregard for player welfare that have persisted for decades.' 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. 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.'
