Angry players urge ATP rethink over doubles cuts
More than 150 doubles players - including Wimbledon champions and tennis legends - urge the ATP to rethink "drastic" cuts which they believe could kill the format.
Seventeen British and Dutch players from the world's top doubles teams have written an open letter to the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). The group includes reigning Wimbledon champions Henry Patten and Sem Verbeek, along with legends such as the Bryan brothers. They urge the ATP to reconsider drastic changes that could harm the doubles format.
The proposal, if approved, would reduce doubles draws at high-level events to only 16 teams, and prize money for doubles could drop from 20% to 10% of the total. The players fear this would "destroy careers, livelihoods and dreams." The ATP maintains the reforms are necessary to strengthen the tour and promote fair competition but acknowledge the potential impact.
A group of 137 current players, 28 legends, and 20 national federations have signed the letter, hoping to pressure the ATP into reconsidering its proposals. The ATP's board will vote on the plan at the upcoming ATP Finals in Turin.
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