OUR PRINCIPLES
The roadmap for the PTPA's work
We, the Professional Tennis Players Association (“PTPA”), are committed to navigating effectively between different tennis stakeholders on behalf of men’s and women’s tennis players to...
Take collective action and advocate on behalf of tennis players globally
COLLECTIVE
Tennis is predominantly an individual sport, but that should not mean individual players are isolated and divided.
FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION
Tennis players have the right to independent and collective representation on all matters of mutual interest.
RIGHT TO ORGANIZE
Tennis players have the right to join the players association and to have their individual and collective rights maximized and protected.
Obtain players’ fair share of the business of tennis and terms of participation
SHARED SUCCESS
Tennis players have the right to share fairly in the economic activity and wealth of tennis, which players have helped generate, underpinned by fair and just pay and working conditions.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Professional tennis must offer pay and working conditions that allow more players to make a living playing professional tennis.
EQUITABLE COMPENSATION
Tennis players have the right to equitable, percentage-based player prize money, as well as annual player minimum compensation.
NEW OPPORTUNITIES
Tennis players must have access to more off-the-court opportunities to earn revenue.
PENSION AND RETIREMENT
Tennis players have the right to world-class pensions and benefits.
TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS
Tennis players should have easy access to a minimum standard of travel accommodations and logistics coordination in all official events.
TICKETING
Tennis players should have consistent and straightforward ticket access to events.
Optimize and rigorously protect tennis players’ rights
PUBLICITY
Tennis players are entitled to have their names, images, likenesses, and performances protected. A player’s name, image, and performance may only be commercially utilized with his or her voluntary, informed consent.
PRIVACY AND PERSONAL DATA
Tennis players have the right to private life, privacy, and protection in relation to the collection, storage, and transfer of personal data.
EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY
Tennis players are entitled to equality of opportunity in the pursuit of sport, free of discrimination, harassment, and violence.
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Tennis players have the right to freedom of opinion, expression, and association.
FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT
Tennis players have a choice of professional and commercial opportunities, as well as the freedom to travel and move freely in pursuit of these opportunities.
REMEDY
Tennis players must be able to access an effective remedy, through agreed, rights-compliant dispute resolution mechanisms when their rights are not respected and upheld.
Safeguard tennis players’ welfare & protect players from abuse
SECURITY
Tennis players must be protected as they travel across the globe and in their homes. Tennis events must utilize all appropriate safety and security measures for the protection of both players and fans.
ANTI-CORRUPTION
Tennis players must be able to participate in a sport free form corruption, including undisclosed conflicts of interests and imbalanced benefits and opportunities that are not afforded to all players. Integrity threats must be combated professionally, collaboratively, and in accordance with tennis players’ fundamental rights. Preventative measures should focus on engaging, educating, and empowering all stakeholders, especially the players, rather than punishment.
ANTI-DOPING
Tennis players must have a fair anti-doping program, administered by licensed independent personnel, with appropriate and updated scientifically determined thresholds in accordance with other major sports. Players must be fully supported to exercise their due process rights to challenge positive tests in a timely manner.
MENTAL HEALTH
Tennis players must have consistent access to world-class mental health resources.
WELFARE & TRANSITION
Tennis players should have more resources to help them transition into life on the professional circuits, during their career, and, at the appropriate time, transition out after their playing careers end.
EDUCATION & ADVISORY SUPPORT
Tennis players should have access to best-in-class financial, tax, legal, insurance, public relations, and health and wellness education and support.
PROTECTIONS AND SAFE GUARDING
Tennis players must be afforded appropriate protections and safeguards, including through relevant Codes and Regulations, education, and anonymous reporting hotline(s).
FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
Tennis players must have safe facilities and proper equipment for training and practice regardless of where they are in the world.
Advocate for, and contribute to, the best vision and structure of tennis globally
SPORT STRUCTURE
Tennis players should have a say on the structure of the sport (ex: scheduling), with mechanisms to enable them to collectively provide substantive input and contribute to its direction.
INNOVATION
Tennis players should have a say on innovation in the game with a player-first mindset (ex: rules changes, coaching, training, new technologies, etc.)
WILDCARD
Tennis players must have an established and transparent wild-card system.
SUSTAINABLE
The PTPA is committed to the long-term economic sustainability and growth of the sport and its players.
EVIDENCE-BASED
The PTPA is committed to conducting economic impact and analyses of the tennis industry and various proposals (CVC investment of WTA, ATP 30-year plan, etc.).
EVENT CERTIFICATION
The PTPA will explore certifying tournaments based on precise requirements in order to recognize those that treat players properly and incentivize others to do the same.