More than 150 males’s doubles gamers – including British world quantity one Henry Patten and the legendary Bryan brothers – have urged the ATP Tour to rethink “drastic” modifications which they believe could kill the format.
In a show of collective motion, the gamers have written an open letter to the males’s governing physique as they battle proposals which would cut draw sizes and cut back prize money from 2028.
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“We’re at risk of losing a discipline of tennis which is historic – but has a big future,” Dutch participant Sem Verbeek, one of the architects of the letter, informed BBC Sport.
“These proposals would destroy careers, livelihoods and dreams.”
The ATP proposed halving the doubles attracts at its flagship Masters 1000 occasions to 16 groups, with smaller tournaments decreased to eight groups.
The share of prize money devoted to doubles could fall from 20% to 10% – with the distinction redistributed to singles gamers.
On Monday, a group of 137 present gamers, 28 legends and 20 national federations signed a letter which they hope will stress the ATP into rethinking the proposals.
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The tour’s board – comprised of chairman Andrea Gaudenzi, 4 match representatives and 4 participant representatives – will vote on the plans at next month’s ATP Finals in Turin.
The doubles reform is half of a wider review by the ATP, which it says is designed to “strengthen” the tour from 2028.
The ATP goals to create “a more sustainable long-term model”, insisting it desires to “maintain the important role” of doubles.
“Commercial success matters. Fairness, player welfare and the long-term health of tennis matter just as much,” the gamers’ letter says.
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“Let us grow tennis together, without leaving doubles players behind.”
Why is doubles under risk?
The proposals provoked an offended response from the males’s doubles cohort when they were revealed in July.
British pair Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash, who won Wimbledon in 2025 and turned world quantity ones, accused the ATP of making an attempt to “kill part of the sport”.
Others within tennis believe reform is needed. They recommend a 20% share of the prize money for doubles is disproportionate to the curiosity proven by followers.
The doubles gamers argue the ATP should do more to promote their self-discipline and entice better audiences, pointing out it is the format performed by most membership members and therefore more relatable.
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The ATP says the proposals are based mostly on data-led evaluation centred on prices, income and viewership.
With fewer singles gamers now competing in doubles, it believes the present dimension of the standalone doubles occasions places extreme pressure on tournaments.
“We support progress. We also understand the need to grow the sport, strengthen tournaments and increase commercial value,” the gamers’ letter says.
“Still, the proposed reforms go much too far.”
Might the dispute lead to legal motion?
Reigning Wimbledon champion Patten not too long ago informed BBC Sport the gamers were dealing with “an uphill battle”, but remained “optimistic” the tour would take into account counter-proposals. Since Wimbledon there have been several conferences between both sides, including not too long ago at the Shanghai Masters.
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Many gamers still believe there is little urge for food for negotiation from the ATP. But ATP sources insist a compromise is doubtless to be discovered.
Mike and Bob Bryan – the similar twins thought of the biggest doubles pair of all-time – said they would support the group contemplating legal motion to shield their self-discipline.
In 2005, the American brothers led gamers in a lawsuit against the ATP, when it deliberate radical modifications to doubles.
“The tour’s in the healthiest financial state it’s ever been – in our opinion it should be creating more opportunities,” Bob Bryan informed BBC Sport in an interview at Wimbledon in July.
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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.”
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