TENNIS has erupted into civil war as a player union co-founded by Novak Djokovic launched “historic legal actions” against governing bodies to expose a “corrupt, illegal and abusive system”. The Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) has filed papers at the United States District Court in New York, where it is seeking a jury trial. The lawsuit criticises an “unsustainable schedule”, ranking systems and control over image rights. The organisation also slammed event bosses for forcing players to compete “in 100-degree heat, endure matches that ended at 3am and play with different and injury-inducing tennis balls depending on the week”. This allegedly led to “chronic wrist, elbow, and shoulder injuries”. The PTPA – formed in 2020 with Serbian superstar Djokovic, 37, acting as a key driving force – wants to increase the power of the players. They also want to reduce control of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), International Tennis Federation (ITF) and International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). In an explosive statement on its website, the PTPA allege: + “Corrupt governing bodies systemically abuse, silence, and exploit players to drive personal profits through monopolistic control”. + That there has been “systemic abuse, anti-competitive practices and a blatant disregard for player welfare” for several decades. + The ATP, WTA, ITF, and ITIA “operate as a cartel by implementing a number of draconian, interlocking anticompetitive restraints and abusive practices”. + “Illegal restraints” have enabled “the cartel to pay artificially low compensation to professional tennis players, eliminate competition amongst themselves, and prevent any potential competitors from entering the market”. The PTPA claim their “decisive legal action” is “backed overwhelmingly” by the top 250 men’s and women’s players, including “a majority of the top-20 players”. They claim top tennis players earn a fraction of what top athletes in other sports earn. The PTPA added: “Players seek a fair, transparent system that prioritises their rights, health, and safety over the unchecked authority of the sport’s governing bodies. “Ensuring they receive the same protections and opportunities as professional athletes in other global sports.” Ahmad Nassar, Executive Director of the PTPA, said: “Tennis is broken. “Behind the glamorous veneer that the defendants promote, players are trapped in an unfair system that exploits their talent, suppresses their earnings, and jeopardizes their health and safety. “We have exhausted all options for reform through dialogue, and the governing bodies have left us no choice but to seek accountability through the courts. “Fixing these systemic failures isn’t about disrupting tennis – it’s about saving it for the generations of players and fans to come.” SunSport has contacted the ATP, WTA and ITF for response.