TENNIS: Players' association says close to deal with Tennis Australia over lawsuit

The Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA) is reportedly close to reaching a settlement with Tennis Australia over a lawsuit filed against several of tennis’ governing bodies, lawyers for the advocacy group said Wednesday.

The PTPA filed a class-action lawsuit in March, alleging that the ATP, WTA, International Tennis Federation, and International Tennis Integrity Agency engaged in anti-competitive practices and failed to prioritize player welfare.

In September, organizers of the four Grand Slam tournaments were added as defendants in the case.

The ATP Tour previously stated that it considered the lawsuit entirely without merit and would vigorously defend its position. The WTA described the lawsuit as "baseless."

On Wednesday, lawyers representing the PTPA, co-founded in 2020 by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil, submitted a letter to the United States Southern District Court in New York reporting productive discussions with Australian Open organizers.

"Plaintiffs and Tennis Australia are engaged in substantive and productive bilateral settlement discussions and believe that a settlement as to plaintiffs' claims against Tennis Australia is likely in the near future," the lawyers wrote.

"Accordingly, plaintiffs and Tennis Australia respectfully request that this court enter an order staying all proceedings and deadlines in the case that pertain to Tennis Australia while the parties finalize their agreement."

Reuters has reached out to Tennis Australia for comment.

The letter clarified that the requested stay would apply only to Tennis Australia and not to the other defendants.

Tennis Australia is currently preparing for the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne on January 18, marking the start of the new Grand Slam season. -Shrivathsa Sridhar/Reuters