Tennis chiefs considering plans to drastically reduce prize money and number of doubles players allowed at big tournaments

Leading men’s doubles players have called on the ATP Tour to reconsider ⁠plans that would reduce the ⁠size of the doubles competitions at ⁠events and move prize money to the singles format.

In a letter addressed to the ATP board and management and signed by 137 active players, 33 former players and 20 federations, the group said it understood the need for reform, but was deeply concerned about ‌the plans being discussed.

The ATP said this month it was reviewing potential changes to the size of the doubles draws at tournaments as part of its plans for 2028 and beyond, with the freed-up funds going towards singles qualifying and early-round prize money.

“The current plans would shift about US$20 million in prize money from doubles to singles, while cutting a significant number of professional opportunities for ⁠doubles specialists,” the group wrote.

“That shift would make it much harder for talented players to build and sustain ‌a doubles career. A healthy professional sport cannot rely solely on a small group of top stars; it needs pathways for players to develop, compete and earn ‌a living.”

The governing body of men’s tennis said earlier ⁠this month doubles would ⁠continue to be a core part of the tour and its reviews were focused on identifying a model for its sustainable long-term ‌future.