© @ahmad4athletes X account
Since Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil founded the PTPA, in 2019, they have seen some of tennis’ top players join their cause, such as Paula Badosa, Ons Jabeur and Hubert Hurkacz. The Professional Tennis Players Association aims to become an independent entity for the protection of WTA and ATP players.
Ahmad Nassar, executive director of the organization, has drawn up, through a post X, the goals that PTPA intends to pursue in 2024.
The PTPA is chasing ambitious goals for next season
Following you can read the ambitious intentions of the Professional Tennis Players Association for the next tennis season:
“Formed the inaugural PTPA Executive Committee, which for the first time brings leadership from both WTA and ATP players (pic below!).
• Established our PTPA Principles to outline the objectives of the organization, building off the successes of players associations in other sports, the World Players Association and its Universal Declaration of Player Rights.
• Established a global tournament presence, meeting with 500+ players discussing the PTPA and listening to player concerns and needs.
• Created direct ties to all four Grand Slams, both Tours, and other important tennis stakeholders.
• Built a robust player appeal support system, assisting players in appealing ends and navigating anti-doping issues. Secured multiple fine reductions on behalf of players.
• Pushed for minimum player salaries, resulting in ATP announcing its Baseline program.
• Advocated for uniform tennis balls per playing surface, galvanizing a robust player voice on the issue. Change is coming here.
• Assisted top-20 WTA players in collecting their demands and presenting them to the WTA.
• Round-the-clock player outreach and engagement during the WTA Finals debacles. Issued a public call for a review of the WTA based on the Finals shortcomings.
• Conducted research on the benefits of players associations, anti-doping reforms, sports betting, employment status, tournament and match scheduling.
• Hired a multi-lingual, full-time global staff.
• Created Board of Champions and PTPA Ambassadors with tennis legends
• Generated over $10M of new commercial value for tennis players, paid out to over 350 female and male players.
• Finalized group player partnerships with world-class brands such as Fanatics, Topps, Tumi, Audi, and more.
• Garnered international media stories about the mission of the PTPA and the plight of tennis players under the current structures.
So what’s next and how do we plan to step it up even more as we head into 2024? Well, for starters, the PTPA plans to:
• Commission an independent review of the tennis ecosystem (legal, business, structure, and more).
The status quo is unacceptable.
• Demand a direct seat at the table as the ONLY independent player organization representing both women and men.
• Create even more support and value for players on tour.
• Seek continued improvements for players, fans, tournaments & commercial partners alike.
The PTPA has already been beneficial and is actively creating a better future for players, fans, and commercial partners. There’s so much more to do, and we will keep putting in the work!”
As we enter the fleeting tennis off-season, it’s another great opportunity to reflect on the progress and influence of @ptpaplayers – and where we go from here.
As always, our goals are creating accountability to and a voice for the players. Because tennis is the players & the… pic.twitter.com/G5gppRZl1Z — Ahmad Nassar (@ahmad4athletes) November 28, 2023
