A group of leading doubles players have accused the men’s ATP Tour of trying to “end doubles as a viable profession”.
In a meeting at Wimbledon on Tuesday, the tour proposed changes which could include halving the size of doubles draws from 2028.
That would mean only 16 teams being able to compete at ATP 1000 events, and just eight at the smaller tournaments on tour.
The percentage of prize money devoted to doubles players could fall from 20% to 10% – with the money redistributed to singles players.
“Doubles isn’t a carnival sideshow,” the players said in a statement.
“It is one of the most successful parts of tennis – integral to the amateur game – with the potential to do so much more.
“Yet the impact of the ATP’s proposals will be to diminish the sporting excellence that is professional doubles and turn off the pipeline of pro doubles players and the entire infrastructure that supports them.
“Doubles is not an afterthought we fell into. It has always been part of this sport’s identity, not a discount version of it.”
At the first Masters 1000 event of the year in Indian Wells, Jannik Sinner received $1.151m (£860,000) for winning the title. Guido Andreozzi and Manuel Guinard won $234,000 (£175,000) each for winning the doubles.
The players argue the changes mean there would be no future for doubles players ranked outside the world’s top 30.
“Do the maths on what that means for anyone outside the top 30: it will be impossible to make a living,” the statement continued.
“This is not a minor adjustment. It is a plan to end doubles as a viable profession, dressed up as a cost-saving measure – and it is being pushed through with almost no transparency and almost no consultation with the players whose careers and livelihoods are on the line.”
Many within the sport believe a 20% share for doubles players is disproportionate to the interest in the event.
The days of numerous ATP professionals playing both singles and doubles are long gone. There are now effectively two separate cohorts of players, which in turn puts greater strain on player facilities on site at tournaments.
“We are assessing the doubles product, draw sizes and player compensation distribution with the aim of creating a more sustainable long-term model while maintaining doubles’ important role on the tour,” an ATP spokesperson said.
“The review is also assessing whether changes to the doubles model could enable increased investment in early-round singles prize money, helping more players at the highest level to better meet the costs of competing on tour and build sustainable professional careers.
“Any potential changes will be developed through close consultation with players, tournaments and the ATP board, with any decisions made in the best long-term interests of the sport and its consumers.”
This latest development comes while the world’s leading singles players continue to call for a higher share of Grand Slam revenue to be dedicated to prize money – a separate issue to how the ATP Tour financially rewards its players.
Earlier this week, players ended their boycott of Wimbledon media duties after “constructive meetings” with the All England Club.
In addition to prize money, players want the Grand Slams to focus more of their revenue towards welfare benefits such as pensions and maternity leave.
