Reilly Opelka Claims ATP Intimidation Over Lawsuit Involvement
Veteran tennis player Reilly Opelka has claimed that a fellow player was directed by the ATP chairman to intimidate him financially, a threat linked to Opelka’s involvement in a lawsuit aiming to transform the tennis world.
In the previous month, a group of players initiated legal action against the ATP and WTA across New York, London, and Brussels. The lawsuit targets alleged practices by the tennis “cartel,” claiming suppression of player wages, neglect of player health, and extensive antitrust transgressions.
This initiative, led by the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), recently accused the ATP of pressuring players to distance themselves from the lawsuit. Over three hours in a federal courtroom in downtown Manhattan, the PTPA requested a court order to prevent the ATP from discussing the legal case with players.
Opelka testified from Barcelona, where he is preparing for an upcoming tournament, that ATP Tour Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi orchestrated an effort through another player to caution Opelka about potential loss of pension and legal expenses if he didn’t retract his lawsuit involvement.
The ATP has refuted this claim. Board member Luben Pampoulov dismissed Opelka’s statement as false, participating in the court hearing while opposing the notion that the whole situation was merely “hearsay.” Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed the ATP’s objections.
The PTPA initiated its lawsuit on March 18, the following day seeing Pampoulov testifying about efforts during the Miami Open to obtain signatures from players disavowing the lawsuit. However, he noted that these efforts ceased once the gag order motion was filed, with Ben Shelton being the only signatory mentioned.
Opelka recounted being approached by a Players Council member while on an exercise bike on March 18 in the Miami Open locker room. Opting not to name this individual due to fear of retaliation, Opelka relayed that the player warned him about his pension and legal liabilities on Gaudenzi’s instruction during a Council meeting.
Pampoulov testified he was in the room during this meeting and denied any such claims made by Gaudenzi, noting that Gaudenzi allowed the ATP staff to handle discussions about the lawsuit.
The ATP pointed out the lack of public support for the lawsuit among players, with ATP lawyer Brad Ruskin labeling it a “sophisticated PR campaign.” Vasek Pospisil, one of the 12 players officially named in the suit, countered this, sharing that many players secretly back the lawsuit, although fewer have openly supported it than initially believed.
Pospisil, present in the courtroom, expressed fear of potential reprisals from the dominant ATP tour.
PTPA co-founder Novak Djokovic, notably not listed as a plaintiff, mentioned in Miami his reservations about certain parts of the lawsuit. This statement puzzled Pospisil, who found Djokovic’s comments inconsistent with their prior discussions.
During questioning, Pospisil acknowledged not approaching young player Carlos Alcaraz regarding the lawsuit, a decision he regrets, citing a concern about burdening the teenager.
ATP regulations mandate that plaintiffs pay the tour’s legal fees if they lose. Pospisil commented on rumors that the ATP might spend between $50 million and $100 million defending itself, which Pampoulov did not confirm or deny.
Tension between the ATP and the PTPA is evident. Ruskin criticized the PTPA, arguing that despite its formation in 2020 to advocate for players, it actually undermines the equal partnership between players and tournaments within the ATP framework.
An ATP lawyer brought up Pospisil’s past outburst against Gaudenzi at Miami Open 2021, while PTPA lawyer Jim Quinn mentioned the ATP’s exhibits featuring numerous images of PTPA members expressing frustration on the court.
As the case progresses in its early stages, the ATP’s response isn’t due until May 20. Judge Garnett has given both parties a week to file new briefs concerning the gag motion with a ruling expected thereafter.