PTPA’s Quinn Debunks ATP, WTA Tennis Collapse Fears

In a recent video statement, Jim Quinn, a seasoned lawyer representing the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), took aim at the resistance to change within professional tennis, drawing parallels to battles he’s fought in other major sports leagues. Addressing anticipated pushback from the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), Quinn dismissed claims that reforms would spell disaster for the sport as exaggerated and unfounded.

The Familiar Cry of Collapse

“No doubt you will hear from people at the ATP and the WTA that, well, if we make all these changes, the world's going to come to an end,” Quinn said. “The tournaments will collapse. The world will never be the same. We’ll all go bankrupt.” He argued that such dire warnings are a familiar playbook, one he’s encountered before while representing players in the NBA and NFL. “I heard that from the owners of the NBA, the owners of the NFL,” he explained, recalling a particularly striking case where the NFL’s chief lawyer warned a jury that allowing players freedom and competition would mean “the NFL as we know it would no longer exist.”

Don't listen to the nonsense.

Hear more from legendary lawyer and athlete advocate Jim Quinn. pic.twitter.com/2vqegVhWqk
— Professional Tennis Players Association (@ptpaplayers) March 24, 2025

Lessons from the NFL

History, Quinn noted, has proven otherwise. The NFL introduced free agency, players gained the benefits of competition, and rather than collapsing, the league flourished. “The NFL is doing pretty well,” he remarked dryly, underscoring the disconnect between the warnings and reality. For Quinn, the message is clear: “If you hear that, say to yourself, this is nonsense. This is what they always say.”

A Vision for Tennis

The PTPA, co-founded by players like Novak Djokovic, has been advocating for structural changes in tennis to better support players, including fairer compensation and greater influence over the sport’s governance. Critics, particularly from the established tennis bodies, often argue that such reforms could destabilize the delicate ecosystem of tournaments, sponsors, and revenue streams. But Quinn sees these objections as fearmongering meant to protect the status quo rather than the sport itself.

A Win-Win Future

Far from heralding doom, Quinn believes the PTPA’s proposed changes would usher in a brighter future for tennis. “If the changes that we would propose go into effect, no doubt it will be not only better for the fans and better for the players, it will probably also be better for the people running the sport,” he said. He envisions a tennis landscape where fans enjoy a more competitive and engaging product, players receive the rewards and respect they deserve, and even administrators benefit from a revitalized, sustainable system.

Embracing Progress

Quinn’s argument hinges on a simple premise: competition and fairness breed success, not collapse. His experience across sports suggests that those who cling to outdated models often underestimate the resilience and adaptability of their industries. As the PTPA continues its push for reform, Quinn’s words serve as both a rebuttal to skeptics and a rallying cry for change—one grounded in the belief that tennis, like the NFL before it, can thrive when it embraces progress rather than fears it.