By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, April 4, 2025
Photo credit: ATP Tour
The landscape of the ATP Tour is set to shift as it faces a crucial turning point, showcasing a division among its stars.
In a significant announcement today, Massimo Calvelli, the current CEO of the ATP, will conclude his term at the end of June 2025.
While the search for a new leader commences, ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi will take on the additional responsibilities of CEO on an interim basis.
Rising Star: Eala Stuns Keys in Miami
“Massimo’s leadership has been exemplary for the ATP,” expressed Gaudenzi. “His strategic vision and relentless work ethic have been critical in steering our sport through a challenging period, during which we’ve witnessed remarkable growth.”
“I am profoundly thankful for his guidance and contributions, and I wish him great success in his future endeavors.”
Calvelli’s departure marks the end of a five-year journey.
The ATP has acknowledged Calvelli as a key figure who helped navigate the organization through the trials of the global pandemic and played a vital role in the execution of OneVision, ATP’s ambitious long-term strategy. Collaborating closely with Gaudenzi, he facilitated transformative changes within the ATP Tour, including a groundbreaking rise in player earnings – exceeding $100 million more in 2025 compared to 2019 – along with unprecedented commercial success.
However, despite the laudatory remarks from the ATP, the issue of player compensation remains contentious among many stars, intensifying with time.
The ongoing dispute involving the Novak Djokovic-led PTPA and the ATP and WTA has escalated, with recent legal action taken by the PTPA against the ATP, WTA, and ITF.
Djokovic, an Olympic gold medalist, voiced concerns over how players, especially those ranked lower, are struggling to secure a fair share of the revenue. This imbalance has forced some to leave professional tennis altogether due to financial burdens associated with travel and coaching expenses.
“At present, not enough players are able to sustain a livelihood at the highest levels of this sport. While we earn well, I’ve been advocating for equitable revenue distribution and increased prize money for the grassroots levels of tennis,” Djokovic remarked in a Miami press conference. “I know many players who have exited the sport, especially during the COVID crisis due to financial strains, and we need to address this.”
Furthermore, a recent article from L’équipe highlighted that the top 20 players from both ATP and WTA have united to demand a larger share of revenue from the four Grand Slam tournaments.
The athletes are calling for a significant uptick in prize money, pointing out their earnings represent a substantially smaller percentage of overall revenues compared to other sports leagues, such as the NBA, which reportedly enjoys close to a 50% revenue share.
Despite his rapport with ATP President Gaudenzi, Djokovic has criticized the ATP as ineffective, claiming it has let down the players on numerous occasions.
In essence, the PTPA seeks to be included in major decision-making processes, but the ATP has consistently sidelined the group. Djokovic emphasizes that the Tour continues to silence players’ concerns and lacks sufficient player consultation.
“The ATP council includes equal representation of players and tournaments, yet it often fails to represent the full spectrum of players’ interests,” Djokovic stated ahead of the 2024 Wimbledon. “This system has repeatedly failed the players, which is why the PTPA is essential – we need our voices heard on significant issues.”
“Unfortunately, the ATP maintains a 50/50 representation split between players and tournaments, meaning player interests are never fully prioritized.”
