PTPA Escalates Legal Battle Against ATP

The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), led by Executive Director Ahmad Nassar, has intensified its legal fight against the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and other tennis governing bodies. In a bold move late Friday, the PTPA files motion against ATP, requesting an immediate injunction to prohibit what it describes as "illegal contact" and coercive behavior by the ATP toward players. The filing comes just days after the PTPA launched a series of lawsuits on March 18, 2025, accusing the ATP, Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), International Tennis Federation (ITF), and International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) of systemic abuse and anti-competitive practices.

“Breathtaking,” “astonishing,” “blatant disregard for the law.” That’s what our seasoned lawyers said when players told us how the ATP is illegally threatening retaliation and attempting to coerce players. In their place of work, no less. It has to stop.

Last night we filed a brief motion asking the US judge to prohibit all illegal contact with players by the ATP or any defendant or co-conspirator.

Usually, when large international businesses worth billions of dollars get sued, they hire lawyers, issue discovery hold notices, and otherwise prepare to litigate. These sophisticated defendants keep running their business and try to minimize any distractions or disruptions from ongoing legal matters. And these companies most certainly avoid doing anything that helps prove the other side’s case.

That’s not what happened. Instead, we’ve witnessed a doubling down on illegal, coercive, schoolyard bully behavior.

Thankfully, these legal matters will not be judged in the schoolyard. or on X. This is precisely the sort of behavior that forced us to file these global legal challenges in the first place.

Tennis is a large international business and must start acting like one. That’s what the law requires, and what players and fans deserve.
— Ahmad Nassar (@ahmad4athletes) March 22, 2025

PTPA Files Motion to Halt ATP's Alleged Coercive Tactics

In a strongly worded post on X at 16:51 UTC on March 22, Nassar condemned the ATP’s actions, citing reports from players that the organization has engaged in “threatening retaliation” and attempts to “coerce” them in their workplace. “‘Breathtaking,’ ‘astonishing,’ ‘blatant disregard for the law’—that’s what our seasoned lawyers said when players told us how the ATP is illegally threatening retaliation and attempting to coerce players,” Nassar wrote, referring to the illegal player coercion. “It has to stop.”

Background of the PTPA's Global Lawsuits

The PTPA’s initial lawsuits, filed in New York City, London, and Brussels, allege that the tennis governing bodies operate as a “cartel,” suppressing player wages, limiting opportunities, and stifling rival tournaments to the detriment of both players and fans. Named plaintiffs in the case include prominent players such as Nick Kyrgios of Australia, Sorana Cirstea of Romania, Reilly Opelka of the United States, and Zheng Saisai of China. The lawsuits, supported by the international law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, aim to dismantle what the PTPA calls a “corrupt, illegal, and abusive system” that has persisted in professional tennis for decades.

ATP's Response and Ongoing Tensions

Nassar’s latest filing accuses the ATP of failing to adhere to standard legal practices typically followed by large international businesses facing litigation. “Usually, when large international businesses worth billions of dollars get sued, they hire lawyers, issue discovery hold notices, and otherwise prepare to litigate,” Nassar stated on X. “That’s not what happened. Instead, we’ve witnessed a doubling down on illegal, coercive, schoolyard bully behavior.” The ATP has previously responded to the PTPA’s lawsuits, with a statement on March 18 describing the organization’s actions as divisive and accusing it of spreading misinformation. However, the PTPA remains steadfast in its mission to reform professional tennis.

Protecting Players: The Motion's Intent

The motion filed on March 21 seeks to protect players by prohibiting the ATP, along with any defendants or co-conspirators, from engaging in further contact that the PTPA deems unlawful. Nassar emphasized that such behavior is precisely what prompted the PTPA to initiate its global legal challenges in the first place. “Tennis is a large international business and must start acting like one,” he wrote. “That’s what the law requires, and what players and fans deserve.”

A Historic Fight for Tennis Reform

The ongoing legal battle marks a significant escalation in the long-simmering tensions between players and tennis’ governing bodies. The PTPA, co-founded by 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in 2020, has positioned itself as a staunch advocate for tennis reform player rights, health, and safety. The organization’s lawsuits are seen as a historic intervention in a sport that has faced growing criticism over its treatment of players, particularly in terms of financial transparency and dispute resolution processes, which currently require players to submit to arbitration rather than public legal proceedings.

What’s Next for Tennis?

As the case unfolds, the tennis world watches closely. Fans and players alike are left to wonder whether this legal showdown will finally force the sport’s governing bodies to address the systemic issues the PTPA has brought to light—or whether the ATP and its counterparts will continue to resist change. For now, Nassar has indicated he will limit his activity on X to “turn down the temperature” and protect players during this heated legal battle. “In order to protect players, I will be more limited on X,” he wrote in a follow-up post. But with the PTPA’s latest motion, it’s clear the organization has no intention of backing down in its fight for a fairer future for professional tennis.