“It was surprising for me”: Carlos Alcaraz refuses to support PTPA, 22 players lawsuits against ATP, WTA, ITF and ITIA for systemic abuse
World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz has stated that he does not support the lawsuits filed against tennis’s governing bodies. On Tuesday, the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) and 22 players launched legal action against the ATP, WTA, International Tennis Federation (ITF), and International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), accusing them of anticompetitive business practices, monopolizing professional tennis, and systemic abuse.
The list of players involved in the lawsuit includes 2022 Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios, American Reilly Opelka, current world No. 76 Corentin Moutet, and 2014 Wimbledon doubles champion Vasek Pospisil.
According to reports, the players and the PTPA allege that the WTA, ATP, ITF, and ITIA have operated as a ‘cartel’ to stifle competition and manipulate prize money. The lawsuits have been filed in courts across the United Kingdom (UK), the European Union, and the United States.
Alcaraz, a former world No. 1, is currently in Miami for the ongoing ATP 1000 event. Speaking to the media ahead of his first match, the four-time Grand Slam winner revealed he learned about the lawsuit through social media. He emphasized that while he agrees with some of the concerns raised, he does not support the legal action taken by the Djokovic-backed organization and its co-filers.
“It was surprising for me because no one had told me about it,” Alcaraz said, as quoted by BBC Sport. “There are things I agree with and other things I don’t. But the main point is that I don’t support what was done.
“Yesterday, I saw on social media that they included something I said in a press conference in the lawsuit documents, and I wasn’t aware of it. I honestly don’t support that letter because I wasn’t informed.”
In recent years, tennis’s governing bodies have faced growing criticism over their increasing control of the sport, their inconsistent handling of doping cases, and their perceived disregard for players’ health and well-being. Many believe these issues highlight the broader ineffectiveness of the organizations overseeing professional tennis.
