Carlos Alcaraz has commented on the lawsuits of the PTPA professional association against ATP and WTA.
“There are some things that I agree with. And there are other things that I don’t agree with,” said the Spaniard on the sidelines of the Masters tournament in Miami. “But it is crucial that I don’t support that.” Alcaraz said he was “surprised” by the events, nobody told him about it. “I only saw it on social media,” said the 21-year-old.
The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) accuses the organizations ATP (men) and WTA (women) as well as the World Association ITF, a “cartel” and a “corrupt, illegal and abusive system”. “Tennis is broken,” it said in a message.
Allegation: The lack of competition leads to fewer income for professionals
The PTPA had submitted complaints with several tennis professionals in the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union. Among them is the Australian Nick Kyrgios. “The ATP just had so much power,” said Kyrgios to the British broadcaster Sky. “You don’t have to disclose anything. Now things will have to change. The ATP has to explain how things work.”
The central allegation: The organizations are said to have made agreements to suppress the competition between tournaments. Possible competitors could not enter the market. However, the professional association wants a stronger competition between different tournament organizations. Because that could lead to higher prize money for the players.
There is also criticism of high burdens for professionals, a season that is too long and the ranking system through which players can hardly participate in alternative events.
ATP and WTA contradict
The ATP had rejected the allegations. “We consider the lawsuit to be completely unfounded and will vigorously defend our position,” said the organization in a statement and in turn made serious allegations against the PTPA, which “consistently focus on split and distraction through misinformation instead of progress”.
The WTA called the procedure of the PTPA “regrettable and miscalculated”.
PTPA co-founder Djokovic “supports the thing”
The PTPA once founded Novak Djokovic. He is not mentioned in the PTPA notification of the lawsuits. However, the Grand Slam record winner sits in the union’s executive committee and “supports the matter” according to a PTPA spokesman.