CARLOS ALCARAZ DISTANCES HIMSELF FROM LEGAL ACTION BY… Read more

Carlos Alcaraz said he doesn’t support the lawsuit filed by the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) against tennis organizations. The 21-year-old Spanish player was surprised to learn that his past comments about the tennis calendar were used in the legal documents without his permission.

“It surprised me because no one told me about it,” Alcaraz said at the Miami Open. He made it clear that while he agrees with some things, he does not support the lawsuit. “The main thing is I don’t support what was done,” he added.

The PTPA, started by Novak Djokovic, filed a lawsuit against the ATP, WTA, ITF, and ITIA. The group wants to end what it calls “monopolistic control” over the tennis tour and is seeking financial compensation. The lawsuit was filed by the PTPA and 12 players, including Djokovic’s co-founder Vasek Pospisil and Nick Kyrgios, who say they are speaking for all players.

The lawsuit criticizes the tight schedule, ranking systems, and control over player image rights. It also claims that the governing bodies don’t care enough about player welfare. Alcaraz was unhappy that his comments were used without his knowledge.

“Yesterday, I saw on social media that they included something I said in a press conference, and I didn’t know about it,” he said. His quote about the busy tennis calendar from last September was used without his permission. “I honestly don’t support that letter because I wasn’t aware of it,” he explained.

Alcaraz’s reaction shows that not all top players agree with the union’s approach. The PTPA was formed in 2020 to give players more say in the sport. The group has called the tennis governing bodies a “cartel” and criticized the ranking points system as “harsh.”

The ATP has accused the PTPA of causing “division and distraction,” while the WTA, which manages the women’s tour, called the lawsuit “regrettable and misguided.”