The Tennis Tennis Professional Association has accused the ATP of trying to force players and is seeking a court order that prohibits such conduct.
PTPA, an organization of players co-founded by Novak Djokovic, launched legal action against tennis governing bodies, including ATP and WTA, earlier this week, as it seems to force radical changes in the way of executing the sport.
In response, the ATP accused PTPA of choosing “division and distraction through misinformation on progress” and the warfare struggle increased on Saturday.
In a post on the social media website X, PTPA executive director Ahmad Nassar said the players had told the organization that ATP is “illegally threatening revenge and trying to force the players”.
“It has to stop,” Nassar said. “Last night we presented a short motion asking the US judge to stop all illegal contact with players from ATP or any defendant or co-conspirator.
“We have witnessed a doubling of illegal, coercive behavior, of the school kindergarten. Fortunately, these legal issues will not be tried in the school kindergarten. Or in X.
“This is precisely the kind of behavior that forced us to present these global legal challenges first. Tennis is a big international business and should start acting as one. This is what the law requires and what players and fans deserve.”
In response, an ATP spokesman told the news agency without: “We are aware of the request for an additional court order required by PTPA and rejects its assertions.
“At the heart of ATP is our commitment to players. Since this is a legal issue, we have no further comment to do.”
Among the PTPA complaints are the suppression of competition between shifts, which he says reduces price money, a Draconian ranking system, an unstable schedule and financial exploitation of players.
He also accused the governing bodies of failing to comply with the player’s well-being, forcing athletes to compete late at night and in extreme heat and anti-doping brand practices an invasion of intimacy.
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