Tennis doubles: Top players fear cuts and accuse ATP Tour of trying to kill off majors
A group of top doubles players has accused the men’s ATP Tour of trying to “eliminate doubles as a viable profession”.
At a meeting at Wimbledon on Tuesday, the tour proposed changes that could include doubling the size of the tournament from 2028.
That would mean only 16 teams could compete in ATP 1000 events, and only eight in the smaller tournaments on the tour.
The percentage of prize money awarded to doubles players may drop from 20% to 10% – with money redistributed to singles players.
“Doubles is not a carnival sideshow,” the players said in a statement.
“It is one of the most successful parts of tennis – important in the amateur game – with the potential to do so much.
“However the impact of the ATP’s proposals will be to reduce professional doubles and close the pipeline of doubles players and all the infrastructure that supports them.
“Doubles is not something we have ever fallen into. It has always been part of the identity of this game, not a discount.”
At the first Masters 1000 event of the year in Indian Wells, Jannik Sinner earned $1.151m (£860,000) for winning the title. Guido Andreozzi and Manuel Guinard won $234,000 (£175,000) each for winning the doubles.
Players argue that the changes mean there will be no future for two-time players ranked outside the top 30 in the world.
“Do the math on what that means for anyone outside the top 30: they can’t make a living,” the statement continued.
“This is no small fix. It’s an end-to-end plan that doubles as an active duty, dressed up as an austerity measure — and carried out with little transparency and almost no discussion with players whose careers and livelihoods are on the line.”
Many within the sport believe that the 20% quota for doubles players is not in line with the interest of the event.
The days of many ATP pros playing singles and doubles are long gone. There are now two different groups of players, which also puts a lot of pressure on the players’ centers at the tournament site.
“We are exploring doubles production, draw sizes and distribution of player compensation with the aim of creating a more sustainable long-term model while maintaining doubles’ important role on tour,” said an ATP spokesperson.
“The review examines whether changes to the doubles model could enable increased investment in singles first prize money, helping more elite players better meet the costs of competing on tour and building sustainable professional careers.
“Any potential changes will be developed in close consultation with the players, tournaments and the ATP board, and any decisions are made in the long-term interests of the sport and its consumers.”
The latest development comes as the world’s top singles players continue to ask for a higher proportion of Grand Slam revenue to be dedicated to prize money – a separate issue in how the ATP Tour financially rewards its players.
Earlier this week, the players ended their boycott of Wimbledon media functions after “constructive meetings” with the All England Club.
In addition to prize money, players want the Grand Slams to focus more of their income on social benefits such as pensions and maternity leave.
