American Madison Brengle is suing the Women's Tennis Association and the International Tennis Federation for injuries she alleges were caused by repeated anti-doping tests.
A medical condition that meant Brengle, 28, reacted badly to needle injections was ignored, says her lawyer.
Brengle has permanent swelling and weakness in her serving arm and hand and had to withdraw from tournaments.
The world number 83 is likely to seek more than $10m (£7m) in damages.
"Tennis authorities ignored evidence of her professionally-diagnosed condition and refused to provide alternative testing or a medical accommodation," said lawyer Peter Ginsberg.