The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), an advocacy group co-founded by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil in 2020, is embroiled in internal conflict, leading to dueling lawsuits that question the organization’s leadership and direction.
On July 7, 2026, a lawsuit was filed in federal court by an entity claiming to represent the legitimate PTPA. This suit targets Wajid Mir, the association’s former general counsel and interim executive director, accusing him of orchestrating a “coup” to seize control of the organization. The plaintiffs, including Winners Alliance—a for-profit entity established to support the PTPA—allege that Mir attempted to unilaterally direct the PTPA’s finances, personnel, and litigation strategies. They seek a court injunction to prevent Mir from representing himself as affiliated with the PTPA.
This legal action follows a separate lawsuit filed the previous week in the District of Columbia. In that case, another faction claiming to be the rightful PTPA leadership named Winners Alliance, former executive director Ahmad Nassar, and player board members as defendants. This group contends that a legitimate board meeting on June 3 resulted in the dismissal of Romain Rosenberg as executive director and authorized Mir to investigate Nassar, Pospisil, and Winners Alliance for potential conflicts of interest. However, the next day, a different player board allegedly fired Mir, accusing him of attempting a coup.
The core of the dispute centers on which faction holds legitimate authority over the PTPA. The resolution will likely depend on judicial interpretation of the association’s bylaws and governance structure. The District of Columbia court has scheduled a preliminary injunction hearing for July 16, though the impact of the new federal lawsuit on this timeline remains uncertain.
These internal conflicts have broader implications, particularly concerning the PTPA’s antitrust lawsuit against major tennis governing bodies, including the ATP Tour, WTA Tour, Wimbledon, and the French and US Opens. The defendants in that case have cited the PTPA’s internal discord to argue for the association’s removal as a plaintiff.
The PTPA was established to advocate for professional tennis players, asserting that existing organizations did not adequately represent their interests. However, the current leadership struggle raises questions about the association’s stability and effectiveness in fulfilling its mission.
As the legal battles unfold, the tennis community watches closely, recognizing that the outcome could significantly influence player representation and governance within the sport.