The tennis world is no stranger to drama, but a recent rift between two of its fiercest player advocates has raised eyebrows. Vasek Pospisil, co-founder of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), expressed shock and confusion over comments made by his long-time ally, Novak Djokovic, regarding a high-stakes lawsuit against the sport’s governing bodies. The legal action, launched in March 2025, targets the ATP, WTA, International Tennis Federation, and International Tennis Integrity Agency, accusing them of operating like a “cartel” that stifles player earnings and welfare. Pospisil’s candid admission—“I was surprised. I don’t know why he said that… it was not in line with our previous conversations”—has cast a spotlight on the PTPA’s bold fight and the complex dynamics behind it.
Pospisil and Djokovic formed the PTPA in 2019 to champion player rights, frustrated by a system they saw as prioritizing tournaments over athletes. The lawsuit, filed in New York, London, and Brussels, marks their most aggressive move yet, alleging anti-competitive practices like fixed prize money, an exhausting 11-month schedule, and invasive anti-doping measures. With 11 plaintiffs, including Pospisil, Nick Kyrgios, and Reilly Opelka, the 163-page complaint seeks to overhaul tennis’s structure. Pospisil, a former Wimbledon doubles champion, framed the battle as one for “fairness, safety, and basic human dignity,” recalling his early career struggles: “I’m one of the more fortunate players and I’ve still had to sleep in my car when traveling to matches.” The stakes are high, with the ATP vowing to spend millions defending itself, while players like Opelka have claimed they faced financial threats for joining the suit.
Djokovic’s absence from the plaintiff list surprised many, given his role as PTPA co-founder. At the Miami Open, he distanced himself, saying, “There are things that I agree with in the lawsuit, and then there are also things that I don’t agree with.” He found some wording “quite strong,” suggesting the legal team chose provocative terms for impact. “I felt like I don’t need to sign the letter because I want other players to step up,” he added, emphasizing his long history of advocating for players without causing division. His comments, however, blindsided Pospisil, who insisted Djokovic was “fully aware of and supportive” of the lawsuit. “He was very much part of the process