Trump Targets Tennis Turmoil Following PGA-LIV Golf Mediation

Donald Trump’s Potential Role in Tennis’ Civil War Mirrors Golf Mediation
By Matthew Lambwell | Updated: 11:44 GMT, 19 March 2025

[Image: Donald Trump and Novak Djokovic | Caption: Trump’s ties to tennis heighten as Djokovic’s union challenges governing bodies.]

Tennis is embroiled in a legal battle that could soon attract an unlikely mediator: former U.S. President Donald Trump. On Tuesday, Novak Djokovic’s Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) and star players like Nick Kyrgios filed a lawsuit against the ATP, WTA, ITF, and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). The lawsuit accuses these bodies of operating an anti-competitive “cartel” that suppresses player earnings and influence.

Trump’s Link to the Crisis
The PTPA’s early financial backer, billionaire Bill Ackman—a staunch Trump ally—hints at a potential connection. Trump recently mediated talks between golf’s PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, with PGA commissioner Jay Monahan crediting his “significant” impact. Given Trump’s history of brokering sports disputes, speculation mounts that he may turn his attention to tennis.

[Image: Trump with Tiger Woods | Caption: Trump facilitated PGA-LIV talks, earning praise from Woods.]

Precedent in Golf
Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort hosted pivotal discussions between PGA and LIV leaders in February, including Tiger Woods and Saudi PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan. Woods later lauded Trump’s role, stating the meetings placed golf in a “very positive place.” The President’s influence in uniting golf’s factions—a feud over player pay and league control—mirrors tennis’ current strife.

Tennis’ ‘Corrupt System’ Allegations
The PTPA’s lawsuit claims tennis’ governing bodies trap players in an “unfair and coercive system,” denying them fair revenue shares and stifling dissent. Only 16 of the sport’s $760M annual earnings reportedly reach players, with "top-heavy" prize pools worsening inequality. Djokovic, excluded from key decision-making, argues players lack representation.

Why Trump Might Step In
While tennis isn’t Trump’s primary passion (“He prefers golf, but he loves winning,” an insider noted), his ties to key figures like Ackman and history with stars like Serena Williams—who played an exhibition match at his club in 2015—offer leverage. His mediation success in golf, alongside his transactional diplomacy, could appeal to tennis’ disjointed stakeholders.

Challenges Ahead
Unlike golf’s clear PGA-LIV divide, tennis’ conflict is multilateral. The ATP and WTA control tours, the ITF oversees Grand Slams, and the ITIA regulates integrity—all accused of collusion. The lawsuit demands compensation for alleged antitrust violations, but a Trump-mediated settlement might sidestep lengthy court battles.

[Image: Protesters at a tennis event | Caption: Players demand reforms in revenue sharing.]

What’s Next?
With the lawsuit pending, Trump’s entry remains speculative. Yet his history of high-stakes deal-making suggests an interest in resolving high-profile disputes. As Kyrgios tweeted: “If Trump can fix golf, maybe he’s got a serve-and-volley for tennis too.”

The outcome could redefine power dynamics in tennis, mirroring golf’s ongoing transformation—and cementing Trump’s unexpected legacy in sports diplomacy.

Word count: 621