"He may be bored" - Pegula dismisses Opelka's doubles criticism

| by Evita Mueller

Reilly Opelka criticised doubles tennis some time ago explaining that nobody really cares about it which is why he wants to see them gone.

Opelka has played doubles in his career but he's still not a fan of it because he doesn't really see a need for it. He pointed to the low attendance of doubles matches and generally a lack of interest in that side of the sport unless some big name is playing like the Bryan Brothers. While there is truth in some of what he's saying it's far more nuanced and less black and white.

Asked about that, his compatriot Jessica Pegula offered her thoughts on his criticism of doubles tennis, a part of the sport she enjoys.

I think Reilly may be a little bored. He has been hurt a little bit for a while. I like Reilly, but he always likes to make these comments and get people talking, which I like that about him as well. He is not afraid to say what he wants.

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Pegula has been playing doubles for a while now and she's been quite successful together with Coco Gauff. It's part of the sport she enjoys very much though she can understand the point he is trying to make with his comments.

He is entitled to that opinion, but I personally love playing doubles. But, I could see his point, but at the same time I do think that tennis recreationally most players play doubles, so I think there is some sort of fan base there. I don’t really think we’ve tapped into that the best because everyone in South Florida, you look at all these leagues, all these women’s, ladies doubles leagues. It’s their whole life. It’s so popular. So I think there is something there. Maybe we just haven’t reached it.

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