Carlos Alcaraz ‘doesn’t support’ Novak Djokovic-backed lawsuit

MIAMI – Carlos Alcaraz pushed back on a lawsuit against the ATP Tour filed by the Novak Djokovic-led tennis players union on March 19, saying that he does not support the move.

The Spanish world No. 3, speaking ahead of the Miami Open, said he had not been given any notice of the legal case from the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) or the strongly worded statement issued on March 18.

“Honestly, it was surprising for me, because nobody told me nothing about it. So I was just... only yesterday I saw in the social media,” the four-time Grand Slam champion said.

The PTPA filing cites an Alcaraz quote from a press conference in which he criticised the tour schedule, and the player said he was not aware of that decision.

“I saw that there were some statements that they put something that I said in press conference, which I didn’t know. I don’t support that letter. I don’t support that, because, as I said, I didn’t know anything about it,” he added.

Alcaraz also said he had mixed opinions about the nature of the complaint, which is a wide-ranging critique of the way the sport is run by the ATP and the WTA Tour.

“There are some things that I agree with, there are some other things that I’m not agreeing with, but the main thing here is that I’m not supporting that, so that’s it,” the 21-year-old insisted.

The PTPA was formally launched by Djokovic of Serbia and Canada’s Vasek Pospisil in 2020. Some 20 players were named as part of at least one of the actions.

“The lawsuits expose systemic abuse, anti-competitive practices, and a blatant disregard for player welfare that have persisted for decades,” said the PTPA statement.

“The ATP, WTA, ITF (International Tennis Federation), and ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) operate as a cartel by implementing a number of draconian, interlocking anti-competitive restraints and abusive practices.”

All four bodies defended themselves against the claim and rejected the charges.

Meanwhile at the Miami Open, Australian Nick Kyrgios came from behind to defeat Mackenzie McDonald 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the first round on March 19 to earn his first win since October 2022.

Kyrgios, who retired from his first-round match at Indian Wells earlier in March due to pain in his surgically repaired right wrist, soaked in the moment, looking skywards and taking a deep breath after sealing the victory over the American.

“It has been a long journey even to get to the start line of matches and be scared to even be able to finish them. So to come in and get a win and feel like I belong again, it’s pretty special,” he told Tennis TV.

In the women’s draw, former US Open champion Emma Raducanu barely broke a sweat as the Briton brushed aside Japanese wild card Sayaka Ishii 6-2, 6-1 to reach the second round.

Raducanu, who was ousted in the first round at Indian Wells, regained her footing against Ishii as she won 77 per cent of her first-serve points, fired down six aces and converted five of her six break-point chances. AFP, REUTERS