Serious allegations: Tennis revolt: Union complains about “Cartel”

The PTPA playing union co-founded by superstar Novak Djokovic expresses serious accusations against the leading tennis organizations and initiates legal steps worldwide. The union accuses the professional organizations ATP and WTA and the World Association ITF in a message to form a “cartel” and a “corrupt, illegal and abusive system”.

Complaints: High loads, long season

Therefore, complaints have been submitted with more than a dozen tennis professionals in the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union. Among other things, the focus of the symptoms is high burdens for professionals, an too long season, arrangements to prevent competitions between the tournaments. In addition, players could hardly participate in alternative events due to a restrictive ranking system.

“Tennis is broken,” said PTPA general director Ahmad Nassar. “Behind the glamorous facade with which the accused advertise, the players are trapped in an unfair system that exploits their talent, presses their income and endangers their health and security.”

The PTPA explains all options for reforms in dialogue with the associations. “The remedy of these systemic defects is not about destroying tennis – it is about saving it for future generations of players and fans,” said Nassar.

ATP, WTA and ITF were asked for a statement. The steps are also directed against the International Tennis Integrity Agency ITIA, which, among other things, takes care of processing manipulation and doping in tennis. The ITIA confirmed the lawsuit at the request of the dpa.

Pospisil: It’s about human dignity

Djokovic had initiated the PTPA together with the Canadian professional Vasek Pospisil, the union was founded in 2021. The Serbian Grand Slam record winner is not mentioned in the press release, but it sits in the Executive Committee of the PTPA.

“It’s not about money, it’s about fairness, security and basic human dignity,” said co -founder Pospisil. He also stayed in his car at the beginning of his career, even though he was one of the happier players. “No other great sport deals with his athletes in this way. The organizing associations force us into unfair contracts, create inhumane game plans and punish us when we express our opinion.”