Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff Weigh in on PTPA’s Lawsuit Against Tennis Governing Bodies
Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff have shared their thoughts on the Professional Tennis Players Association’s (PTPA) controversial decision to sue the sport’s governing bodies.
On Tuesday, the PTPA filed a lawsuit against the ATP and WTA Tours, the International Tennis Federation (ITF), and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). Labeling these organizations a “cartel,” the PTPA accused them of imposing “anticompetitive restraints and abusive practices.”
The 163-page complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court in New York, seeks a jury trial. Among the 12 current and former players named as plaintiffs are PTPA co-founder Vasek Pospisil and Australian star Nick Kyrgios. The association also claims that its legal action has received “overwhelming support” from over 250 top male and female players, including a majority of the top 20.
PTPA’s Stance: “Tennis is Broken”
Ahmad Nassar, the PTPA’s Executive Director, made a strong statement about the lawsuit’s purpose:
“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.”
Gauff: “I Support a Higher Revenue Share, But I’m Not Complaining”
World No. 3 Coco Gauff admitted she hadn’t had time to dive into the specifics of the lawsuit but expressed support for a fairer revenue split.
“I honestly don’t have a lot of information on that whole thing. I found out when everyone else did, so I don’t have any details I can share,” Gauff explained.
“I’m all for trying to make the sport better, but I just saw it on Instagram two days ago.”
While acknowledging that tennis players could receive a higher share of revenue, Gauff also maintained a balanced perspective on the issue.
“For me, the biggest thing would be getting a bigger percentage of the revenue in prize money.
“That being said, I can’t sit here and complain. I’m a professional athlete, and I get paid pretty well to do what I love. The amount of work isn’t always equal to the reward, but there are people doing much harder things in this world.”
“If you compare it to other sports, then yes, there’s room for improvement. But if you compare it to life in general, I’m not going to complain.”
She also emphasized the need for greater equality in prize money and visibility for women’s tennis:
“On the women’s side, we need to keep pushing for equal prize money in as many tournaments as possible. But beyond that, visibility and promotion are areas we need to improve, too.”
Sabalenka Echoes Gauff’s Sentiments
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka shared a similar stance, pointing out that players should receive a larger cut of tournament revenues—especially at the Grand Slams.
“Something I’d like to see is all players—both WTA and ATP—getting a higher percentage of the revenue from tournaments, especially the Slams,” Sabalenka said.
“I think that’s fair, and if you compare it to other sports, the percentage distribution is completely different. That’s the only wish I have.”
The PTPA’s Battle for Change
Founded in 2020 by tennis legend Novak Djokovic and former Canadian pro Vasek Pospisil, the PTPA has positioned itself as a union fighting for player rights and greater financial transparency in the sport.
As the lawsuit unfolds, the tennis world will be watching closely to see whether this legal challenge sparks lasting change—or if the sport’s governing bodies will stand firm against the PTPA’s demands.
