The Skilled Tennis Gamers’ Affiliation (PTPA), co-founded by Novak Djokovic, has initiated authorized proceedings in opposition to main tennis governing our bodies.
The lawsuit targets the Affiliation of Tennis Professionals (ATP), Girls’s Tennis Affiliation (WTA), Worldwide Tennis Federation (ITF), and Worldwide Tennis Integrity Company (ITIA).
The authorized actions are being filed throughout a number of jurisdictions together with america, United Kingdom, and European Union.
The ATP and WTA have said they’ll defend in opposition to these claims.
The PTPA, established in 2020 by Djokovic and Canadian participant Vasek Pospisil, has gathered assist from roughly 20 gamers who’re taking part in at the very least one of many authorized actions.
“The lawsuits expose systemic abuse, anti-competitive practices, and a blatant disregard for participant welfare which have persevered for many years,” stated the PTPA assertion.
“The ATP, WTA, ITF, and ITIA function as a cartel by implementing various draconian, interlocking anti-competitive restraints and abusive practices.”
“Tennis is damaged,” stated Ahmad Nassar, Govt Director of the PTPA.
“Behind the glamorous veneer that the defendants promote, gamers are trapped in an unfair system that exploits their expertise, suppresses their earnings, and jeopardises their well being and security.”
The PTPA’s allegations embrace collusion amongst governing our bodies, unfair prize cash distribution, and demanding schedules.
The organisation additionally factors to participant welfare issues, together with matches in excessive warmth, late-night finishes, and inconsistent tennis ball specs.
Further complaints tackle picture rights, sponsorship limitations, and rating level programs.
“Gamers are subjected to invasive searches of non-public gadgets, random middle-of-the-night drug checks, and interrogations with out authorized illustration,” the assertion famous.
“Whereas the ATP has remained targeted on delivering reforms that profit gamers at a number of ranges, the PTPA has constantly chosen division and distraction via misinformation over progress,” the ATP responded.
The ATP additional defended its place, stating they reject the PTPA’s claims and can defend their stance vigorously.
The WTA described the PTPA’s motion as “each regrettable and misguided” and promised a powerful defence.
The ITIA emphasised the significance of sustaining anti-doping and anti-corruption packages in tennis.
“The ITIA seeks to uphold the very best requirements in our work, following greatest observe and acceptable guidelines all through the administration of circumstances, from intelligence gathering via to investigations and, the place relevant, sanctions. For our half, we proceed to welcome alternatives to interact with any and all members of the game, together with gamers, coaches, assist workers, officers, and media, to construct belief in tennis’ anti-doping and anti-corruption programmes.”
The PTPA’s government council consists of seven members, together with Djokovic, Pospisil, Hubert Hurkacz, Ons Jabeur, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Taylor Townsend, and Zheng Saisai.
A number of gamers have joined the authorized actions in numerous jurisdictions, with Nick Kyrgios, Varvara Gracheva, and Reilly Opelka supporting the US case, whereas Corentin Moutet and Taro Daniel have joined the UK proceedings.
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