Djokovic-led players sue ATP, WTA, and ITF – what’s happening?

The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), which has increasingly been making waves in the tennis industry, has filed historic lawsuits against the sport’s governing bodies alongside a group of players. The athletes accuse the federations of corruption, illegal practices, and abuse of power, demanding systemic reform.

For context, the PTPA was founded in 2020 by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil with the aim of defending players’ rights and improving their conditions. The organization primarily seeks to expand the number of players who can earn a living from tennis by advocating for a fairer distribution of prize money and greater support for athletes outside the elite ranks.

After numerous complaints from players and prolonged disputes with governing bodies, the PTPA made a “difficult but necessary decision” in March 2025 — to take legal action, filing lawsuits against the ATP, WTA, ITF, and ITIA.

The association claims that professional tennis organizations have created an overloaded calendar that forces players to compete almost non-stop for 11 months a year. This, they argue, takes a toll on athletes’ health. The complaints also highlight frequent changes in official match balls, which players believe contribute to wrist and shoulder injuries.

Additionally, the plaintiffs argue that the ranking system limits players’ ability to choose tournaments freely, effectively forcing them to compete only in ATP and WTA events, which restricts competition.

In response to the PTPA’s actions, both the ATP and WTA expressed disappointment over the lawsuits. The ATP stated that instead of pursuing a constructive approach, the PTPA has focused on division and spreading misinformation, emphasizing that their claims are baseless.

The WTA also criticized the lawsuit, calling it unfounded. The organization stressed that it is actively working in the interests of players, including increasing prize money and supporting athlete-mothers, and that legal battles would only divert resources from meaningful improvements in tennis.

This lawsuit could become a pivotal moment for the tennis industry — if the players succeed, it could improve working conditions for professional tennis players while simultaneously reducing revenues for the ATP and WTA, as well as some top players who benefit from the current system.

Cover photo: Antonio Rubio, flickr.com