The gamers’ union co-founded by Novak Djokovic has begun authorized motion towards tennis’ governing our bodies, citing “anti-competitive practices and a blatant disregard for participant welfare”.
The Skilled Tennis Gamers’ Affiliation (PTPA) has filed papers at the USA District Court docket in New York, the place it’s looking for a jury trial.
The 163-page lawsuit, which has been seen by BBC Sport, says “skilled tennis gamers are caught in a rigged recreation” which provides them “restricted management over their very own careers and types”.
It criticises the schedule, rating programs and management over picture rights.
The criticism is being introduced by the PTPA and 12 gamers – together with Djokovic’s co-founder Vasek Pospisil and Nick Kyrgios. The PTPA says it’s appearing “on behalf of all the participant inhabitants”.
Shaped in 2020, the PTPA desires to extend the ability of the gamers, and cut back the management of the governing our bodies.
The ATP Tour, the lads’s skilled physique, stated it “strongly rejects the premise of the PTPA’s claims”, declaring the case to be “fully with out benefit” and promising to “vigorously defend” its place.
In a press release,, exterior it accused the PTPA of getting “persistently chosen division and distraction by misinformation over progress” and stated the ATP “stays dedicated to working in the very best pursuits of the sport”.
The WTA, which runs the ladies’s tour, additionally stated it’ll defend its place and stated in a press release the authorized motion is “each regrettable and misguided”.
It added: “Contesting this baseless authorized case will divert time, consideration, and sources from our core mission to the detriment of our gamers and the game as a complete.”
