'Failed Singles Players': Opelka Calls For Doubles To Be Eliminated From Tennis
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Reilly Opelka has taken another brutal swipe at doubles players, saying professional tournaments should eliminate doubles events to make room for singles.
The topic of doubles players and how they are treated generated attention when the US Open announced significant changes to mixed doubles, which caused controversy and was criticized by many.
Unexpectedly, it was confirmed that the 2025 US Open mixed doubles will be held during fan week rather than alongside the singles and men's and women's doubles, which will occur when the tournament officially starts.
There will be 16 teams in the mixed doubles. Eight of them are set to be wild cards awarded by the tournament organizers, and the other eight will be decided by the combined singles ranking of the two players.
That caused an outcry among many doubles players, especially those who rely on mixed doubles to try and make a living in the sport. Their condemnation was swift and widespread when the news became official.
However, Opelka had no sympathy whatsoever. The American sarcastically commented on social media that he was surprised that the mixed doubles had not been an exhibition all this time to downplay its significance.
Taylor Fritz was not as blunt as Opelka but agreed with the US Open's move. The world No. 4 does not think mixed doubles has been adding much to Grand Slams and feels fans will be much more excited by the new format.
Opelka made another sarcastic comment on social media about Fritz's opinion, writing that his compatriot should be canceled for making comments that might be considered disrespectful to doubles specialists.
"Disrespectful towards doubles specialists.... let's cancel this guy. @taylor_fritz."
One fan did not realize Opelka was being sarcastic and asked him what had made him change his mind after previously calling for doubles to be removed from tennis to improve the sport.
"@reillyopelka You once said 'get rid of doubles' when a fan once asked you what you would change in tennis? So why the change of heart towards doubles now?"
Opelka replied that he was being sarcastic before making more brutal remarks about doubles players. He wrote that doubles is for failed singles players, doubles specialists is not a real term, and they take up resources that should go to singles players.
"I was being sarcastic they should 100% get rid of dubs. It's for failed singles players, there's no such things as a "doubles specialist", they don't sell a single ticket, they take up practice courts/physios/resources, they don't turn a profit and they complain that they don't make enough $$. That's greedy behavior if you ask me."
It cannot be denied that singles generate more attention and revenue than doubles. However, Opelka's comments might be somewhat disrespectful to the unique skills needed in doubles. For instance, calling the legendary Bryan brothers no more than failed singles players would seem strange.
Although singles attract more fans, Opelka's playing style of serving huge and rarely breaking means he is not among the most watchable players in the game. Thus, his remarks are pretty ironic.
