Novak Djokovic helped found the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) (Image: Getty)
The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has announced plans to cover the legal costs of players facing allegations of doping or corruption.
Founded in 2019, the association was the brainchild of all-time men’s Grand Slam winner and fellow tennis ace Vasek Pospisil.
The organisation represents players from the top 500 in the ATP and WTA singles rankings, as well as the top 200 doubles players.
It now intends to support accused players via its Athlete Counsel & Equity (ACE) Program – an initiative designed to bridge the financial gap between players who can and can’t afford the hefty legal fees.
In a statement, the PTPA said: “The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), the leading advocates for professional tennis players worldwide, today announced the launch of its Athlete Counsel & Equity (ACE) Program.
“This initiative, co-founded by WTA player Tara Moore, will provide professional tennis players navigating complex legal challenges with expert pro-bono support through prominent global law firms King & Spalding LLP and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.
“The PTPA ACE Program is the first of its kind in tennis, ensuring equitable access to world-class legal expertise, regardless of a player’s financial standing and personal resources.”
ATP world No.1 and five-time women’s Slam winner both failed doping tests in 2024 but the pair were handed relatively lenient punishments.
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Tara Moore has been a driving force behind the new announcement (Image: Getty)
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The duo denied any wrongdoing, with Swiatek given a one-month ban, whereas Sinner’s initial verdict saw him go unpunished altogether after he was cleared of wrongdoing. His case is currently under appeal.
By contrast, British doubles ace Moore received a two-year doping ban and while it was later overturned, she told Reuters it came at a cost of £200,000 in legal fees.
Moore, who co-founded the PTPA’s pro bono Athlete Counsel & Equity (ACE) Program, said: “This is a way to sort of help players that don’t have that resource kind of reach out and be like, okay, I do have support.
“I’m not alone in this. I don’t need to struggle by myself.”
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She added: “I went through an incredibly dark time when this happened, you know, I think if the people around me didn’t help, or they didn’t support me the way that they have done, I don’t know if I would be here because it’s depressing.
“It’s scary. You just never think that it’s ever going to happen to you.”
Moore, who is now 32 years old, had set up a fundraising page to help finance her return to tennis.
She has since competed in eight events following her return to action, as the Hong Kong-born star aims to work her way back up the rankings.