A few months ago the PTPA, co-founded by Novak Djokovic in 2019, filed an antitrust lawsuit against the ATP and WTA Tours, accusing them of monopolistic practices that exploit players, suppress earnings, and impose unfair schedules with an anthem that “tennis is broken.” Since then, the tours have moved to dismiss the case, but the PTPA continues to push for reforms to improve player rights and welfare in professional tennis. Now, it’s coming after the next big thing.

On September 23, 2025, the PTPA made a bold move in their ongoing legal battle. They asked the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York for permission to officially add the governing bodies of tennis’ famed four Grand Slams, Tennis Australia, the All England Lawn Tennis Club, French Tennis Federation, and the USTA, as defendants alongside the ATP and WTA tours. This ramps up the stakes in the fight over control and fairness in tennis.

The PTPA took to their X account to explain their latest move. They said, “For years, professional tennis players and the PTPA have raised concerns about the systemic issues plaguing the sport. In March, we filed a landmark case challenging the status quo and demanding lasting reform.” They believe the time has come to pull all key players, including the Grand Slams, into the suit to ensure accountability and push through much-needed changes that will reshape tennis for generations.

In March, Novak Djokovic’s PTPA shook the tennis world by suing the ATP and WTA, accusing them of monopolizing and stifling player opportunities. The Grand Slams were surprisingly left out as official defendants, only named as co-conspirators. But two months later, the lawsuit expanded to include them, broadening the legal battlefield.

By July, the powerhouses of tennis were pulled into talks. Wimbledon and the other Slams opened doors to negotiation, discussing a player council for scheduling input, plus pensions and healthcare support. Similar moves came from the Australian, French, and US Opens. With the US Open looming, players prepared a formal proposal to shake things up.

Last week in New York, the PTPA dropped a bombshell with a 180-page amended complaint—then held back on naming the Slams as co-defendants, at least for now. CEO Ahmad Nassar explained, “Ninety days is the timeline in the letter we filed with the court that said that we’re holding off on naming the grand slams as defendants. We’ve been having productive discussions… The one page to me means far more than 180 pages.”

This pause opens a critical window to address issues like scheduling, player representation, and pay without immediate court battles. The players are ready to roll up their sleeves and fix the system, turning legal fire into serious reform.

This is a big deal, the first time the Grand Slams are formally named as defendants in this legal saga. The push to include them signals how serious the PTPA is about shaking up tennis’s old guard and forcing major reforms. Last month, they came down hard on the US Open’s prize money this year!

Novak Djokovic’s PTPA sends stern warning after the US Open’s prize money boost

The US Open made headlines this season with a record-smashing prize money pool of $90 million. That’s a jaw-dropping 20 percent jump from last year, locking its status as the richest paycheck in tennis. A big win for the sport, and a clear sign that this Slam is leading the way.

What makes it even sweeter is how the money trickled down. From champs holding the trophy to first-round exits packing early, everyone saw a bump. And with equal pay already the standard in New York, men and women will pocket the same amount for identical results. A real cause for celebration, at least for some.

Not everyone is clinking glasses, though. The PTPA quickly reminded fans that bigger prize pots don’t cover up deeper cracks. On X, they wrote: “A relentless, year-round schedule that pushes players to the brink, an opaque, inconsistent anti-doping program, A lack of player benefits and stagnant prize money across most tour-level events, and A disregard for player voices on matters directly impacting their livelihoods.”

Their message didn’t stop there. The statement ended with a sharp closer: “Piecemeal solutions are not enough. As our legal work continues, the PTPA continues fighting for the holistic solutions that players, fans, and the sport deserve.” With battles brewing behind the scenes, the bigger question now is what real change we’ll actually see in the months ahead. What do you think? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.