ATP’s Proposed Overhaul of Doubles Tennis Sparks Player Backlash

The ATP Tour proposes to cut men’s doubles draws to eight teams at smaller events and to sixteen at Masters tournaments, and to halve the prize-money share from 20 % to 10 % of earnings. Changes, slated for 2028, would affect 150 male doubles specialists, half of Wimbledon’s matches, and coaches and staff.

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A media boycott by the top ten singles players at Wimbledon over prize-money distribution preceded the doubles plan. Wimbledon’s organisers, the All England Club, gave a 20 % pay rise to players, yet the revenue-share dispute continues.

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British doubles champion Julian Cash and partner Lloyd Glasspool, together with an unnamed collective of about 150 doubles specialists, have opposed the proposals.

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ATP Tour sources call the plan a “review of the business” and say “nothing is set in stone.” They argue doubles is “not sustainable” because it is not attractive to broadcasters or fans. Players say the cuts would shrink doubles and the livelihoods of coaches, physios, federations and clubs, making it impossible to make a living for those outside the top 30, and claim their livelihoods are at risk, indicating readiness for legal action.

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The overhaul threatens a pathway that feeds amateur tennis, where doubles is the main format. Reduced broadcast content could lower ground-pass, while job losses would affect federations and clubs that develop talent.

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The ATP cites low TV viewership, yet Grand Slam surveys show spectators want singles and doubles. The ATP calls it a proposal; players call it a threat. No player-council comment on the 2028 timeline has been released.

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• “Do the math on what that means for anyone outside the top 30: it will be impossible to make a living,” — Statement on behalf of a large group of doubles players

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• “Doubles made up half of the tennis at Wimbledon on Thursday (Photo: Getty) “Shrink doubles and you shrink the livelihoods of the coaches, physios and trainers who work alongside us, the national federations who develop doubles talent, the clubs who run doubles programmes, and the next generation of players who see a doubles career as a genuine, achievable path into the professional game.” — Statement on behalf of a large group of doubles players

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• “One doubles player, who does not have enough years of contributions to even claim an ATP pension, said: “Our livelihoods are on the line.” — Unnamed doubles player

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• “We hope it doesn’t go as far as legal action but if it has to then I know that we’re all on board to do so.” — Julian Cash, defending Wimbledon men’s doubles champion

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The ATP aims to finalise the 2028 calendar revamp, cementing the cuts. Doubles players are ready for legal challenges and expect inquiries from Wimbledon protest group. Monitoring player-council deliberations will shape future of doubles tennis.

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