- Published
More than 150 men's doubles players - including British world number one Henry Patten and the legendary Bryan brothers - have urged the ATP Tour to rethink "drastic" changes which they believe could kill the format.
uncertain
they → publish → format
In a show of collective action, the players have written an open letter to the men's governing body as they fight proposals which would cut draw sizes and reduce prize money from 2028.
asserted
which → write → 2028
"We're at risk of losing a discipline of tennis which is historic - but has a big future," Dutch player Sem Verbeek, one of the architects of the letter, told BBC Sport.
"
asserted
Verbeek → lose → Sport
These proposals would destroy careers, livelihoods and dreams."
asserted
proposals → destroy → careers
The ATP proposed halving the doubles draws at its flagship Masters 1000 events to 16 teams, with smaller tournaments reduced to eight teams.
asserted
tournaments → propose → teams
The percentage of prize money devoted to doubles could fall from 20% to 10% - with the difference redistributed to singles players.
uncertain
difference → devote → players
On Monday, a group of 137 current players, 28 legends and 20 national federations signed a letter which they hope will pressure the ATP into rethinking the proposals.
asserted
they → sign → proposals
The tour's board - comprised of chairman Andrea Gaudenzi, four tournament representatives and four player representatives - will vote on the plans at next month's ATP Finals in Turin.
asserted
board → comprise → Turin
The doubles reform is part of a wider review by the ATP, which it says is designed to "strengthen" the tour from 2028.
asserted
it → say → 2028
The ATP aims to create "a more sustainable long-term model", insisting it wants to "maintain the important role" of doubles.
asserted
it → aim → doubles
"Commercial success matters.
asserted
success → matter → ?
Fairness, player welfare and the long-term health of tennis matter just as much," the players' letter says.
asserted
letter → matter → tennis
"Let us grow tennis together, without leaving doubles players behind."
Why is doubles under threat?
The proposals provoked an angry response from the men's doubles cohort when they were revealed in July.
asserted
they → let → July
British pair Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash, who won Wimbledon in 2025 and became world number ones, accused the ATP of trying to "kill part of the sport".
asserted
who → win → sport
Others within tennis believe reform is needed.
asserted
reform → believe → tennis
They suggest a 20% share of the prize money for doubles is disproportionate to the interest shown by fans.
asserted
share → suggest → fans
The doubles players argue the ATP should do more to promote their discipline and attract greater audiences, pointing out it is the format played by most club members and therefore more relatable.
asserted
it → argue → members
The ATP says the proposals are based on data-led analysis centred on costs, revenue and viewership.
asserted
proposals → say → costs
With fewer singles players now competing in doubles, it believes the current size of the standalone doubles events puts severe strain on tournaments.
asserted
size → compete → tournaments
"We support progress.
asserted
We → support → progress
We also understand the need to grow the sport, strengthen tournaments and increase commercial value," the players' letter says.
asserted
letter → understand → value
"Still, the proposed reforms go much too far.
asserted
reforms → propose → ?
Might the dispute lead to legal action?
uncertain
dispute → lead → action
Reigning Wimbledon champion Patten recently told BBC Sport the players were facing "an uphill battle", but remained "optimistic" the tour would consider counter-proposals.
asserted
tour → reign → proposals
Many players still believe there is little appetite for negotiation from the ATP.
asserted
players → believe → ATP
But ATP sources insist a compromise is likely to be found.
asserted
compromise → insist → ?
Mike and Bob Bryan - the identical twins considered the greatest doubles pair of all-time - said they would support the group considering legal action to protect their discipline.
asserted
they → consider → discipline
In 2005, the American brothers led players in a lawsuit against the ATP, when it planned radical changes to doubles.
asserted
it → lead → doubles
"The tour's in the healthiest financial state it's ever been - in our opinion it should be creating more opportunities," Bob Bryan told BBC Sport in an interview at Wimbledon in July.
asserted
Bryan → create → July
Mike Bryan added: "These proposed changes are anti-competitive.
asserted
changes → add → ?
That's the stance we had to take in 2005.
asserted
we → have → 2005
We still believe in doubles and we believe in the players fighting for this."
asserted
we → believe → this
The Aporia
