The ATP and WTA defended themselves against the Professional Tennis Players’ Association after its decision to file a lawsuit against those two governing bodies, the ITF and the International Tennis Integrity Agency.
Novak Djokovic co-founded the PTPA with Vasek Pospisil in 2020 to fight for players’ interests, which both men felt the ATP and WTA did not do enough to represent them in their operations.
Although the PTPA has made occasional critical statements, notably after Jannik Sinner’s case settlement, the organization has not made a widespread impact to date. It is seeking to change that with its shock lawsuit.
The PTPA’s lawsuit listed many reasons for the action, including the ATP and WTA engaging in anti-competitive practices, not giving players a high enough share of revenue generated, and privacy issues related to anti-doping procedures.
In response, the ATP outlined its achievements in recent years and brutally derided the PTPA, saying the organization spreads misinformation and has not established a worthwhile role in tennis.
“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 $70 million 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.”
“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.”
The WTA’s statement reminded fans that it was a nonprofit organization that involved players’ input. Like the ATP, the governing body also listed some of its achievements to refute the PTPA’s stinging criticisms in its lawsuit.
“The WTA is a nonprofit, membership organization that exists to advance women’s tennis on behalf of players, tournaments and fans. WTA players, as equal members alongside tournaments, have an essential and influential voice in the governance of the WTA.”
“Among many examples, in recent years we have committed to a $400 million increase in player compensation, set out a pathway to pay equality at our major WTA events, secured new investment to fuel the long-term growth of the sport, and launched the first comprehensive maternity benefits for independent, self-employed athletes in the history of women’s sports.”
In contrast to the ATP and WTA, the ITF’s response was much shorter. The governing body confirmed that it was aware of the PTPA’s lawsuit and that it would take some time to decide on an appropriate response.
“We can confirm we have received a letter detailing the PTPA’s legal action and will take the appropriate time to consider our response.”
The news of the PTPA’s legal action is still very recent, but the ATP and WTA’s responses clearly indicate that they are not taking the news lying down and plan to defend themselves and their records robustly.
