Tennis proves it is not immune to polarizing drama. Players are suing the sport’s biggest powers, Grand Slams are rejecting reforms, and stars are taking sides.
PPTA files suit against the professional tennis tours: The Professional Tennis Players’ Association has, “on behalf of the entire player population,” filed legal action against tennis’ governing bodies in the US, the UK, and the EU. The PTPA claims there is collusion between the tours and the tournaments, which suppresses competition between tournaments and may artificially restrict prize money. Full Story: BBC
What tennis players really want from the lawsuit against their sport: The central allegations in the document are that the defendants, the ATP and WTA Tours and the International Tennis Federation (ITF), fix prize money, suppress competition, subject players to a punishing schedule and lock them into it through mandatory tournaments and ranking points. The International Tennis Integrity Agency, which scrutinizes anti-doping and anti-corruption in the sport, is accused of questionable investigation practices. The four Grand Slams are named as “co-conspirators.” Full Story: The Athletic
Novak Djokovic wanted players to add names to antitrust lawsuit: Novak Djokovic says that he was not listed among the plaintiffs on the case the PPTA filed Tuesday in federal court in New York — along with actions in Brussels and London — “because I want other players to step up.” Full Story: ESPN
Carlos Alcaraz doesn’t support the PPTA lawsuit: The world No. 3 says he was unaware there would be a class-action lawsuit filed by the PTPA in U.S. federal court—despite being quoted in the filing. Full Story: Tennis
Tennis’ Grand Slams reject new ATP and WTA plan for the sport’s calendar and finances: After mulling over a proposal from the leaders of tennis’ governing bodies to restructure its calendar, the people in charge of the four biggest tournaments in the sport, the Grand Slams, have sent back a terse rejection that leaves the future of tennis in a state of paralysis. Full Story: The Athletic
Charlie Pasarell Reflects on the BNP Paribas Open and the Future of the Tournament: Few names are as synonymous with the BNP Paribas Open as Charlie Pasarell. A former world No. 1 in the United States and UCLA standout alongside Arthur Ashe, Pasarell has left a lasting mark on the sport both on and off the court. One of Pasarell’s greatest contributions to tennis came in 1981 when he helped establish the tournament that grew into the BNP Paribas Open. Full Story: NBC Palm Springs
WTN to become one of the ITF World Tennis Tour Singles Acceptance Criteria: The WTN will become the third measure of acceptance into tournaments, used after all players with a WTA/ATP Singles Ranking and an ITF World Tennis Ranking have been accepted. Full Story: ITF
The 2025 Wimbledon Posted Has Released: 100 days in advance of the Championships, the event organizers released the official poster for this year’s event. Full Story: MSN
For Jessica Pegula, 2025 Is the Year of Tennis and Sunscreen: Jessica Pegula on her pre-tournament routine, juggling her tennis career and skin care brand, Ready 24, and the Korean lip mask she always wears on the court. Full Story: Elle
Ben Shelton and Trinity Rodman confirm relationship: The soccer star and tennis player confirmed their romance in a photo posted on Instagram. Full Story: People
This Week in Professional Tennis
| Date | Tournament | Tour/Level | Location |
| 3/18-30 | Miami Open presented by Itaú | WTA 1000 ATP 1000 | USA |
