British tennis star withdraws from Novak Djokovic-led PTPA lawsuit and gives reason | Tennis | Sport

British No.9 Jay Clarke has withdrawn his name from the London-based lawsuit lodged by Novak Djokovic’s players’ union. The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has sparked a civil war in tennis by launching legal cases in New York, Brussels and London against “corrupt governing bodies” with Wimbledon named among the “co-conspirators”.

Nick Kygrios and Reilly Oapelka are among the 12 plaintiffs in the USA seeking a jury trial in New York to smash the “cartel” in a “rigged game”.

World No.277 Clarke was among six players named as plaintiffs in the London case. The anti-trust case cited that Clarke “was not allowed to be sponsored by the alcohol brand, Grey Goose” as part of the case.

And Derby-born Clarke, who is most famous for dumping Harriet Dart to play with Coco Gauff in the 2019 mixed doubles, has today issued a statement announcing he will no longer be part of the case.

“While I continue to stand by many of my comments and believe there is a need for greater support for players—particularly at the lower levels of the sport—I have decided to withdraw as a plaintiff,” he said. “I do not fully align with the way the case has been approached, and at this stage in my career, it is important for me to focus entirely on my tennis without external distractions.”