“Regrettable and Misguided”: PTPA Lawsuit Receives Strong Backlash From WTA

When the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) was founded in 1973, women couldn’t even apply for a credit card on their own. It was a different world back then, but the WTA changed the game. Led by Billie Jean King, a group of players gathered in London to form an association that would fight for their rights. Half a century later, the WTA is a global powerhouse in women’s sports. But now, it finds itself at the center of a legal battle. The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), co-founded by Novak Djokovic, has filed a lawsuit against the ATP, ITF, and WTA, calling their practices “draconian” and “abusive.” So what did the WTA say?

The lawsuit, filed in district courts across London, Brussels, and New York, is backed by 12 players, including Djokovic’s co-founder Vasek Pospisil and Nick Kyrgios. The PTPA claims it is acting on behalf of all players, arguing that the existing system suppresses competition, reduces prize money, enforces an unfair ranking system, and creates an unsustainable schedule.

The WTA was quick to respond in a strong statement and wrote, “The PTPA’s action is both regrettable and misguided, and we will defend our position vigorously in due course.” The association emphasized that it is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing women’s tennis. “The Women’s Tennis Association 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.” the statement read.

WTA Statement on PTPA Lawsuit pic.twitter.com/SRqL7K4m8k

— wta (@WTA) March 18, 2025

The WTA also highlighted its ongoing commitment to improving conditions for players. It pointed to its efforts to close the pay gap in tennis, citing plans for equal prize money at major tournaments and a $400 million increase in player compensation. Additionally, the association highlighted its introduction of a new maternity leave policy to support female players throughout their careers. In its closing remarks, the WTA took a firm stance against the lawsuit and wrote, “Contesting this baseless legal case will divert time, attention, and resources from our core mission to the detriment of our players and the sport as a whole.”

The ATP also fired back against the lawsuit. What did they say?

The ATP hit back at the PTPA’s “unsurprising” lawsuit

Since the start of the Open Era, professional tennis has been governed by a collaboration between players, tournaments, and administrators. The PTPA argues that these entities operate as a “cartel,” preventing necessary changes in the sport.

However, the ATP disagrees. In its statement, it defended its record, highlighting the introduction of prize money formulas, record-breaking on-site earnings, and expanded Bonus Pools. Over the past five years, these initiatives have boosted player compensation by approximately $70 million.

The ATP also questioned the PTPA’s credibility. “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,” the statement read. “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 ATP firmly rejected the lawsuit and wrote, “We strongly reject the premise of the PTPA’s claims, believe the case to be entirely without merit, and will vigorously defend our position. The ATP remains committed to working in the best interests of the game – towards continued growth, financial stability, and the best possible future for our players, tournaments, and fans.”

The ITF also issued a response, defending its role in the sport. They said, “As a nonprofit organization and global guardian of the game, the ITF’s purpose is to ensure the growth and sustainability of tennis as a global sport. We reinvest 90% of our income into the global development of the game, via our 213 member National Associations.”

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) also issued their statement.”Credible international sport requires robust anti-doping and anti-corruption programs, and we are proud of our role in contributing to a clean and fair sport,” it said, maintaining its position as a trusted regulatory body.

With both sides standing their ground, the battle lines have been drawn. The lawsuit could reshape professional tennis as we know it. Do you think PTPA’s case holds weight? Let us know in the comments!

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