Novak Djokovic is once again making headlines, not just for his achievements on the court, but for his pivotal role in spearheading change in the world of professional tennis. Through the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA), Djokovic is challenging the entrenched structures of the sport, bringing to light the frustrations that have long simmered within the player community.
Founded in 2019 by Djokovic and fellow pro Vasek Pospisil, the PTPA has mostly worked behind the scenes, offering services and benefits to players while laying the groundwork for a major shake-up. Now, it appears that the time for subtlety is over, and the organization is preparing to take legal action against the ATP and WTA that could fundamentally reshape the tennis world.
At the heart of the PTPA’s fight is a simple but powerful stance: tennis players, particularly those outside the top ranks, are overworked and underpaid compared to their peers in other global sports. As CEO Ahmad Nassar points out, despite tennis being the second-most watched sport globally, it ranks a distant ninth in terms of player earnings. The players’ association is determined to address this disparity.
One of the biggest targets on the PTPA’s radar is the non-competition clauses used by the ATP and WTA. These…
