Donald Trump could step in to end the growing civil war in tennis after the Novak Djokovic-founded Professional Tennis Players Association filed a lawsuit against four of tennis’ major bodies – the ATP, WTA, ITF, and ITIA. A group of players, including Nick Kyrgios, also put their names on the suit.
The named players and the PTPA branded the four organisations a ‘cartel’ and accused them of working together to implement “draconian, anticompetitive restraints and abusive practices.” After intervening to try and find a resolution between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, there is a belief Trump could do the same for the conflicting groups in tennis.
American billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, who publicly endorsed Trump in the US presidential race, is a tennis enthusiast and is believed to have financially supported the PTPA in its early days after it was founded by Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil.
The chief executive and portfolio manager of Pershing Square Capital Management spent time with Trump before deciding to “formally endorse” him last year.
And Ackman’s involvement with the PTPA could encourage President Trump to act as a mediator between the Djokovic-backed player organisation and the tennis tours.
The billionaire took to social media to commend the PTPA for filing the lawsuit on Tuesday.
“These lawsuits and the resulting judicial outcomes will revolutionise tennis for the players and create much greater opportunities for the most talented – regardless of their socioeconomic background – to make a living from the game,” Ackman tweeted.
“This will greatly improve the competitiveness of the sport, which will make for an even better fan experience.
“As an active market participant and investor in the rough and tumble corporate world, I have never seen such abusive and anticompetitive activities and behaviour.
“This corruption and abuse have been allowed to metastasise in tennis because of the power dynamics of the sport.”
Trump is already using his presidency to strike a deal between the two conflicting golf tours, the PGA and LIV Golf.
Last month, the US president hosted a meeting between PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and LIV Golf chair Yasir al-Rumayyan at the White House. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has already praised Trump for stepping in.
He said the talks were “real and substantial”, adding: “Those talks have been significantly bolstered by President Trump’s willingness to serve as a facilitator.”
Trump may also choose to use his powers to act as a mediator between the PTPA and the named bodies in the lawsuit, with tennis at risk of becoming as fractured as golf.
The union listed eight sub-sections in the legal document, including “collusion to reduce competition” and “fixing prize money”. The plaintiffs are also unhappy with the “unsustainable” 11-month competition schedule and the ranking points system.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk