Novak Djokovic has never been one to shy away from a challenge—whether on the court or off it. In 2019, alongside Vasek Pospisil, he co-founded the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) to address what he saw as deep-rooted unfairness in the sport. The notion that for years, tennis players – especially those outside the elite ranks – have faced an uphill battle against governing bodies like the ATP, WTA, ITF, and ITIAl led to the foundation of the org. The PTPA was envisioned as a platform to empower players, advocate for fair compensation, and demand transparency. Did it work? Well, not the way they hoped.

Fast forward to 2025. After five years of stalled efforts to negotiate change, the PTPA has taken its fight to court. They filed an antitrust lawsuit in New York, accusing tennis’s governing bodies of operating as a “cartel” that exhausts players and stifles competition. Ahmad Nassar, executive director of the PTPA, declared, “Tennis is broken. Behind the glamorous veneer that the defendants promote, players are trapped in an unfair system that exploits their talent.” With the backing of 12 players, including Nick Kyrgios and Reilly Opelka, this legal action aims to bring systemic change to professional tennis.

But in response, the ATP issued a strong statement dismissing the claims. “We strongly reject the premise of the PTPA’s claims, believe the case to be entirely without merit, and will vigorously defend our position,” the ATP stated, emphasizing their focus on delivering reforms that benefit players at multiple levels, such as increased prize money and financial stability initiatives. The ATP also highlighted its commitment to growing the sport and ensuring a promising future for players, tournaments, and fans alike.

Backing their stance, the ATP has introduced significant measures in recent years to support players. Especially with their new Baseline program, which guarantees minimum earnings for the top 250 singles players. If they don’t make enough prize money, the ATP steps in to cover the difference. Plus, they’ve offered injury protection for players who compete in fewer events due to injuries, even giving newcomers a $200,000 boost when they break into the Top 125 rankings.

In just its first year, the program helped 26 players with $1.3 million in support! As the ATP mentioned in their statement, “ATP remains committed to working in the best interests of the game – towards continued growth, financial stability, and the best possible future for our players, tournaments, and fans.”

On the flip side, the WTA has also stepped up its game with its rebranding and by introducing paid maternity leave for the players. What do they have to say about the PTPA’s action?

WTA remains committed to change the game for the players

Following the PTPA’s lawsuit, the WTA released a statement as well, emphasizing its commitment to advancing women’s tennis. “The WTA is a nonprofit, membership organization that exists to advance women’s tennis on behalf of players, tournaments, and fans,” they declared. They also highlighted that WTA players have an essential voice in governance, with input from elected Board representatives. What steps have they taken?

In February 2025, the WTA officially launched a bold rebrand, marking a new era for women’s tennis. The iconic purple logo has been replaced with a fresh green design, symbolizing renewal and energy. This transformation is part of the ‘Rally the World’ campaign, which aims to inspire fans and elevate athletes globally. Top players like Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, and Taylor Townsend featured prominently in this campaign.

WTA’s rebrand reflects more than just a visual change. During the 2024 season, on-site attendance at WTA events rose by 15%. Social media followers increased by 25%. Global viewership reached a record 1.1 billion across television and streaming platforms.

On top of that, on March 7, 2025, the WTA made headlines by announcing a groundbreaking initiative: the first-ever paid maternity leave for professional tennis players. This historic step comes through a partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The announcement was shared on Instagram, stating, “WTA and PIF create the PIF WTA Maternity Fund Program, the first-ever paid maternity leave for professional tennis players. A defining moment in women’s sports.” Players like Maria Sakkari and Victoria Azarenka joined WTA CEO Portia Archer to celebrate this monumental milestone.

The program offers up to 12 months of paid maternity leave to over 320 eligible players and includes grants for fertility treatments like IVF and egg freezing. As Archer explained, “It’s meant to provide and support women as they look to start their families or broaden their families.”

As both sides – the tennis governing bodies and PTPA – make their case, one has to wonder: Will this clash of perspectives lead to meaningful change? Share your thoughts in the comments below!