Home / Sports / Judge Greenlights Tennis Antitrust Case Against Tours
Judge Greenlights Tennis Antitrust Case Against Tours
2 Oct
Summary
- Federal judge allows antitrust lawsuit against ATP, WTA, and Grand Slams to proceed.
- Lawsuit alleges conspiracy to suppress competition and harm players' benefits.
- Ruling denies motions to dismiss, allowing the case to move forward.
A federal judge in New York has advanced an antitrust lawsuit, originally filed in 2025, against major professional tennis organizations. Judge Margaret Garnett rejected motions from the ATP, WTA, and the organizers of Wimbledon, the French Open, and the U.S. Open to dismiss the case. The lawsuit contends that these bodies have engaged in anti-competitive practices, negatively impacting both players and fans.
The claims, brought forth by 15 current and former players along with the Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA), were deemed sufficiently plausible to continue. The judge also denied attempts to move the case to arbitration or dismiss it based on jurisdiction. The PTPA, co-founded by Novak Djokovic, remains a plaintiff after the judge denied a joint motion to remove it.
This ruling presents the tennis governing bodies with crucial decisions: they can either engage in a protracted and costly litigation process involving discovery and depositions, or they can pursue settlement discussions with the plaintiffs. An appeal of parts of the ruling is also an option, though discovery could commence during such appeals. The next hearing is scheduled for October 29, with parties required to submit a joint letter outlining their next steps by then.
