MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Carlos Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam titleholder, recently discovered that a class-action lawsuit has been filed in a U.S. federal court targeting several governing bodies in tennis. He expressed his clear disapproval of this initiative led by the Players’ Association co-founded by Novak Djokovic during a press conference before the Miami Open, where he’s ranked second.
When asked about the antitrust case, Alcaraz stated, “There are certain aspects I align with, while others I don’t. However, the key point is that I am not in favor of this action. That’s all there is to say.”
The Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA), claiming support from over 250 players, filed the lawsuit in New York on Tuesday. Additional actions have been taken in Brussels and London, branding the sport’s governing bodies— the Women’s (WTA) and Men’s (ATP) tours, the International Tennis Federation (ITF), and the body governing anti-doping and anti-corruption (ITIA)—as a “cartel.”
“It honestly caught me off guard since no one informed me about it beforehand,” Alcaraz remarked, mentioning that he encountered the news via social media.
Surprisingly, he, along with several other players, was quoted in the extensive 150-plus-page filing, which added to Alcaraz’s astonishment.
On page 71, the lawsuit references major title holders, including Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek, highlighting a remark from Alcaraz regarding the demanding nature of the professional tennis schedule, stating, “The Governing Body Defendants are going to kill players in some way.”
This comment stemmed from his reflections following a match at the Laver Cup last September, as recorded in the transcript of his press session.
“Many players wish to participate more — or even more than they do now. Some feel the calendar is adequate, while others argue it’s overly crowded with tournaments throughout the year,” he explained. “I am among those who believe there are numerous mandatory tournaments, and in the coming years, it will likely expand with even more mandatory events. At this rate, we might be overwhelmed.”
The transcript notes that he smiled while concluding that thought.
The PTPA’s lawsuit presents various grievances against the tennis authorities, including capping the prize money available at tournaments, hindering competition from rival tours or events, a ranking system that limits players’ entry to certain competitions, and a “heavy-handed approach” from the International Tennis Integrity Agency, which the suit describes as “arbitrary and selective.”
