New Delhi: Veteran Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna has raised concerns over the dilution of the doubles tennis and how it can be jeopardised in the future. On Friday, the 44-year-old made a response to American player Reily Opelka’s suggestion to scrap the doubles competitions in tennis events.
After the organisers of the US Open earlier this month decided to redesign the mixed doubles program for the 2025 Grand Slam event later in the year, Opelka suggested that the doubles format (all men’s, women’s and mixed) can be totally scrapped to prioritise singles events.
Bopanna, who has won 26 doubles titles, including men’s doubles crown at the 2024 Australian Open, provided a counter-attacking point of view to the American’s. The 44-year-old mentioned his example of how he has been backing
“For everyone dismissing doubles tennis- understand this: playing doubles and earning an income from it has given me the power to give back in ways that truly matter,” Bopanna wrote on his X handle.
“It has helped underprivileged children discover the sport, provided education for over 30 girls, and built an academy that nurtures future champions. And let me tell you-those benefiting from these opportunities don’t care whether the support comes from singles or doubles earnings. What matters is that it’s changing lives,” he added.
Opelka made a comment that there is no concept as such for ‘doubles specialist’ with only the failed singles players making an attempt. The 27-year-old American professional argued that doubles events don’t attract fans in the stands but do avail the resources such as physios and practice courts without making any profit to the organisers.
Earlier, current top-ranked American singles player Taylor Fritz backed the US Open organisers for its modification of mixed doubles event. The mixed doubles main draw will feature 16 teams, unlike the regular 32, and a pair needs to win four games to win a set (unlike the six games needed in every format of tennis). The prize money for the winner is set as $1 million.
The World No.4 Fritz did confirm the possibility of his participation in the mixed doubles event of the US Open, though he raised the point that the mixed doubles aren’t filling stands at the slam events.
Bopanna, who has been a regular at the slam events since 2006,
“You got to be kidding, reducing the doubles event in the US Open to a two-day compressed programme during the qualifying week. It’s crazy,” Bopanna told MyKhel.
“The process of diluting doubles has been on for a long time. Personally, for me, it’s all about enjoying my game and also ensuring the kids at my academy in Bengaluru play tennis,” he added.
Bopanna further mentioned that the problem of shortening the doubles is only with the US Open while, he observed, that the French Open, Wimbledon, the Australian Open are all ensuring that the doubles stay on the main programme.
Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna criticized the US Open’s decision to reduce its mixed doubles event and the broader trend of diminishing doubles tennis. He countered arguments that doubles is unprofitable and unpopular, highlighting its importance for player development. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
