Tennis stars accuse governing bodies of ‘cartel’ to deny them more prize money

Since the inception of the ATP Tour in 1990, ATP has played a leading role in the global growth of men’s professional tennis. Throughout more than three decades, ATP’s 50-50 governance structure has ensured that players and tournaments have an equal voice in shaping the sport’s direction at the highest level

the ATP said

The PTPA’s action is both regrettable and misguided, and we will defend our position vigorously in due course.”

Meanwhile, the WTA also issued a response, and remarked in a statement

A player’s ranking is not determined solely by his or her on-court performance at Tour events, but also by how often the player agrees to play,

the lawsuit states

There was no investigation that dragged for over a year into a prominent player who had not vocalized any issues with the cartel,

the lawsuit reads

If Louis Vuitton or Gucci, for example, offered a player a lucrative endorsement deal to arrive at center court at Indian Wells carrying a racket bag bearing their logo, the player would have to reject the offer,

the lawsuit states

For example, Holger Rune played at the Six Kings Slam, the only player invited to the Saudi Arabian exhibition who had never won a Grand Slam, and the only player ranked outside the ATP top 10. However, Rune has 'long been touted as a future rival for Sinner and Alcaraz'.”

The footnote states

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."

They added

I felt people knew something was going on behind the scenes for a long time,

Kyrgios told Sky Sports

We need to improve the structure that we have. ... We can do better about the scheduling. The times of matches. There are a lot of tournaments, and health-wise, for the players, I don't think that helps. The balls changing every week is not a good thing. Players deserve to be paid better,

said Jabeur, a member of the executive committee of the Professional Tennis Players’ Association, a group co-founded by Novak Djokovic several years ago

Player welfare is completely disregarded in everything, from the tour schedule to anti-competitive practices, to abusing our rights around name, image, likeness,

Pospisil said

The Slams can’t unilaterally fix the schedule. They can’t fix anti-doping. They can’t fix the medical issues. They can’t fix the prize money conspiracy and price-fixing that exists at every other level at every other tournament."

But, Nassar said

Nick Kyrgiostennis player

I don't think players ultimately have been very happy with what they earn on the tour comparatively to other sports and that's definitely one of the main reasons,

Kyrgios told Sky Sports

Every decision taken at the WTA Board level includes the input of players via their elected Board representatives, and athletes receive substantial financial rewards and other benefits from participation in the WTA,

the organisation said

Nick Kyrgiostennis player

I know that myself and many of the players aren't happy with the structures and everything that's going on in tennis at the moment,

Kyrgios told Sky Sports

We're the only sport in the world that doesn't have a players' association. That was the PTPA's first goal, to get the players to be heard,

Kyrgios said

The ATP/WTA has spread so much fear over the years that it's not easy to put your name on this publicly. Player support for this initiative is undeniable,

he added

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 tour concluded

The lawsuits expose systemic abuse, anti-competitive practices, and a blatant disregard for player welfare that have persisted for decades,

said the PTPA statement

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 ATP said in a statement

The WTA is fully committed to continuing to develop and evolve the structure and operations of professional women’s tennis, listening closely as always to the views of our players,

the WTA said in a statement