The Professional Tennis Players’ Association came into existence on the eve of the 2020 US Open and at the height of pandemic restrictions. After an inauspicious start, the association co-founded by Novak Djokovic has spent time building its professional structures, finances and player support while trying to gain influence in the sport. The PTPA functions ostensibly as a players’ union but it is not legally recognised as such, since players are classed as independent contractors rather than employees.
As the PTPA’s numerous attempts to gain a seat at tennis’s decision-making table have been rebuffed, often vigorously, by the leading governing bodies – the Association of Tennis Professionals, the Women’s Tennis Association, the International Tennis Federation and the four grand slam tournaments – it became increasingly likely that their acrimonious relations would lead to litigation. The PTPA’s decision to initiate on Tuesday a lawsuit against the ATP, WTA and ITF, while naming the grand slam events as co-conspirators, marks a dramatic intensification of its campaign for players’ rights. It also comes as no great surprise.
