ATP Tour Faces Player Uprising Over Proposed Doubles Cuts
Over 150 male doubles players, including top names and legends, have signed an open letter protesting ATP Tour's plans to reduce draw sizes and prize money for the format.
More than 150 men's doubles players, including reigning Wimbledon champions and tennis legends like the Bryan brothers, have urged the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour to reconsider significant changes that they fear could decimate the doubles format. The players have penned an open letter to the sport's governing body, expressing deep concern over proposals that would halve draw sizes at ATP Masters 1000 events to 16 teams and reduce prize money allocations for doubles. Smaller tournaments would see draws cut to eight teams.
Dutch player Sem Verbeek, one of the organizers of the letter, stated, "We're at risk of losing a discipline of tennis which is historic - but has a big future. These proposals would destroy careers, livelihoods and dreams." The current proposal suggests reducing the percentage of prize money dedicated to doubles from 20% to 10%, with the difference reportedly being redistributed to singles players.
The collective action includes signatures from 137 current players, 28 former legends, and 20 national federations. The ATP Tour board, composed of chairman Andrea Gaudenzi, four tournament representatives, and four player representatives, is scheduled to vote on these plans during the ATP Finals in Turin next month. The ATP maintains that these reforms are part of a broader review aimed at "strengthening" the tour from 2028 and creating "a more sustainable long-term model," while also insisting it wants to "maintain the important role" of doubles.
However, the players' letter counters, "Commercial success matters. Fairness, player welfare and the long-term health of tennis matter just as much. Let us grow tennis together, without leaving doubles players behind."
Rationale Behind the Proposals
The ATP's proposals, revealed in July, have drawn sharp criticism. Some within tennis argue that the 20% share of prize money for doubles is disproportionate to fan interest. The ATP, conversely, claims its data-led analysis, focusing on costs, revenue, and viewership, indicates that the current structure strains tournaments, particularly as fewer singles players now compete in doubles. The tour states the proposed reforms aim to address these issues.
Potential for Further Action
While current Wimbledon champion Henry Patten expressed optimism that the tour would consider counter-proposals after recent meetings, many players feel the ATP is not receptive to negotiation. The Bryan twins, widely considered the greatest doubles pair in history, have indicated their support for legal action if necessary. In 2005, the Bryans led a similar player lawsuit against the ATP over proposed doubles changes. "The tour's in the healthiest financial state it's ever been - in our opinion it should be creating more opportunities," Bob Bryan stated. His twin, Mike Bryan, added, "These proposed changes are anti-competitive. That's the stance we had to take in 2005. We still believe in doubles and we believe in the players fighting for this."