Tennis Australia reaches settlement agreement with PTPA

(Getty/Ma Ping)

After lengthy negotiations, Tennis Australia has "reached agreement" to settle a lawsuit case spearheaded by the Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA), just weeks out from the Australian Open.

Last month, The First Serve explained Tennis Australia's push to break away from the other three Grand Slams in an effort to settle a lawsuit filed by the PTPA against multiple governing bodies.

In March, the PTPA, co-founded by Novak Djokovic, lodged a 163-page lawsuit targeting the ATP, WTA, International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), arguing that they have acted as a "cartel" that tries to gain "monopolistic control" when it comes to matters such as player welfare, scheduling, and prize money.

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The Athletic, the parent company of The New York Times, revealed that the PTPA executive director, Ahmad Nassar, sent a text message that the organisation wished that "everyone would make more effort to resolve these matters for the benefit of players, fans, and tournaments alike as soon as possible."

A statement released by Tennis Australia said: "Tennis Australia today confirmed it has reached agreement to settle the class action lawsuit filed in New York District Court earlier this year, without admitting any liability or wrongdoing. The settlement remains subject to final documentation and court approval processes.

"The plaintiffs' lawyers have applied to the court to continue the stay of proceedings against Tennis Australia while settlement documentation is completed.

"Early resolution allows Tennis Australia to focus entirely on delivering an outstanding Australian summer of tennis and continuing to invest in the growth of our sport."

The PTPA and Tennis Australia "are working together to memorialise the terms" of a settlement that will kick in by early 2026, according to a letter filed to the United States District Court on Tuesday.

The Athletic revealed that "a spokesperson for the AELTC (Wimbledon private members' club) said it was aware of the settlement, but that it could not comment further with legal proceedings ongoing. Representatives of the other three Grand Slams did not immediately respond to requests for comment."

Sunday, January 18, is when the Australian Open main draw commences.

The Kooyong Classic returns to the spiritual home of Australian tennis from January 13-15, 2026.

Each year, the Kooyong Classic features the world’s best players in their final preparation for the Australian Open. 

The 2026 event will feature Lorenzo Musetti, Alexander Bublik, Nick Kyrgios, Karen Khachanov, Flavio Cobolli, Frances Tiafoe, Learner Tien, Matteo Berrettini, Hubert Hurkacz, Marin Čilić and Zhang Zhizhen, alongside Donna Vekić and a special guest appearance Daniela Hantuchová. More to be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets on sale now through Ticketek/www.kooyongclassic.com.au

Hospitality packages can be viewed on the Kooyong Classic website and purchased by contacting info@kooyongclassic.com.au.