From Tennis Majors · · 3m
New York Judge Keeps Tennis Players’ Antitrust Case Alive
A New York judge denied six motions to dismiss, forcing tennis governing bodies to share documents in a players’ antitrust case.
In brief
A New York judge denied six motions to dismiss, forcing tennis governing bodies to share documents in a players’ antitrust case. A New York judge denied six motions to dismiss, requiring tennis governing bodies to share documents in a players’ antitrust case. Originally reported by Tennis Majors.
New York judge denies motions to dismiss
A US District Court judge denied all six motions to dismiss an antitrust case brought by fifteen current and former players against tennis’s governing bodies.
Players include PTPA co-founder Vasek Pospisil
The players include Vasek Pospisil, who co-founded the PTPA, Nick Kyrgios, Tennys Sandgren, Christian Harrison, Marco Trungelliti, Saisai Zheng, Varvara Gracheva, Sachia Vickery, Aldila Sutjiadi, Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Anastasia Rodionova.
Defendants are tennis governing bodies
The defendants are the bodies that run the sport: the ATP Tour, the WTA Tour, the Fédération Française de Tennis, the All England Lawn Tennis Club, and the United States Tennis Association.
Tennis Australia settled with players
Tennis Australia settled with the plaintiffs, suspending all deadlines related to the settlement without public terms.
International Tennis Federation dropped
The International Tennis Federation and the International Tennis Integrity Agency were dropped by the players when they amended their complaint on June 24, 2025.
Judge Garnett’s ruling on conspiracy
Judge Garnett ruled that skepticism of a conspiracy’s existence is insufficient to warrant dismissal, allowing the case to proceed even if proof is improbable.
WTA’s arbitration argument rejected
The WTA argued that its Rulebook obliges players to take disputes to arbitration, but the judge found the clause does not cover this lawsuit.
USTA waiver did not apply
The USTA relied on a waiver signed by seven players, but no named plaintiff agreed to arbitrate conspiracy claims.
Tours must answer to each other’s players
The ATP and WTA must answer to each other’s players due to alleged agreements on prize money and tournament structures.
Wimbledon and Roland-Garros must answer
Wimbledon and Roland-Garros must answer in New York court due to the USTA’s conduct at the US Open.
Grand Slams’ arguments rejected
The Grand Slams argued they had no connection to a conspiracy, but the judge identified three written agreements that link them to the case.
ATP cannot move to Delaware
The ATP invoked Delaware as the venue for disputes, but the judge found splitting the case would cause contradictory judgments.
PTPA has associational standing
The PTPA has associational standing, the right to sue on behalf of its members, as confirmed by Saisai Zheng’s membership.
Next steps for discovery
The players and PTPA must file a joint letter by October 29 to proceed with discovery, including document sharing and depositions.
What happens next
The case moves to discovery, requiring tennis governing bodies to share documents and evidence in a significant development for the sport’s future.
In short
A New York judge denied six motions to dismiss, requiring tennis governing bodies to share documents in a players’ antitrust case.
