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Leading professional doubles players have united to challenge proposed changes by the ATP that could reduce tournament fields and shift prize money away from the discipline. An open letter addressed to the ATP board has gathered signatures from 137 active players, 33 former players, and 20 national tennis federations.
Concerns Over Draw Sizes and Prize Money Cuts
The dispute began around Wimbledon after players discovered that the ATP was reviewing its doubles regulations for the 2028 season and beyond. Proposed recommendations suggest that Masters 1000 doubles fields could shrink from 32 pairings down to 16, while ATP 500 and ATP 250 tournaments might feature only eight duos. Additionally, the share of prize money allocated to doubles could drop from 20% to 10%.
As reported by The Guardian, the open letter warns that the reforms risk shifting roughly $20 million in prize money from doubles to singles. The signatories argue that a healthy professional sport needs viable pathways for all competitors to earn a living, rather than relying exclusively on a small group of top singles stars.
For doubles specialists, fewer tournament slots mean fewer chances to compete, secure ranking points, and sustain financial stability. The campaign has gained backing from high-profile figures, including former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash and legends Bob and Mike Bryan. Current world No. 1 Henry Patten and partner Harri Heliövaara have also spoken out, with Patten using his Wimbledon victory speech to highlight the need for junior and developmental opportunities in the sport.
Calls for Collaboration and ATP Response
Dutch player Sem Verbeek, the 2025 Wimbledon mixed doubles champion, stated to The Guardian that the ATP must involve players directly in decisions affecting their careers. Verbeek criticized the historical under-investment in promoting doubles and urged the governing body to collaborate on growing the audience instead of cutting opportunities. The Argentine Tennis Association and leading player Horacio Zeballos also support the initiative, emphasizing that doubles serves as a vital grassroots entry point into the sport.
In response, the ATP maintains that it wants to build a sustainable long-term model for the format. Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi stated in a website update that doubles will remain a core element of the ATP Tour, with the current review seeking a balanced structure for tournaments, fans, and the overall player pathway.
Broader 2028 Reforms by the ATP
The doubles controversy forms a small part of a sweeping overhaul proposed by the ATP in October to reshape men’s professional tennis by 2028. The organization’s plans involve increasing its player bonus pool from $21.5 million to $50 million, allocating $25 million in year-end career support for top-250 players, and providing roughly $30 million annually for player pensions. In total, the package aims to raise annual player compensation to approximately $350 million, excluding Grand Slam earnings.
The proposed changes also target the ranking system and the tournament calendar. The ATP intends to increase the weight of results at major tournaments while removing a rule allowing players to replace up to three weaker Masters 1000 results with lower-tier event points. Scheduling adjustments include dedicated weeks for specific tournament categories, fewer ATP 250 events, and the introduction of a tenth Masters 1000 tournament in Saudi Arabia for 2028.
The ATP plans to continue discussions with the Player Advisory Council during upcoming meetings in Turin to evaluate the reform package.
