/sportsinfo/media/member_avatars/image 59.png)
Follow Us/sportsinfo/media/media_files/2025/02/22/TXi8uHmqcAMYAaqh9IVr.jpg)
Rohan Bopanna and Reilly Opelka Photograph: (Instagram)
Indian tennis great Rohan Bopanna posted an emotional message after Reilly Opelka told the association to scrap the doubles. The tennis star is now one of the world’s leading doubles tennis players and the 2024 Australian Open Grand Slam winner. For most of his tennis career, Bopanna played as a doubles specialist and won various titles. A recent comment by American tennis player Reilly Opelka has sparked outrage and many fans slammed the tennis player for his inappropriate comment on doubles tennis players.
In replying to an Instagram post of Taylor Fritz, Opelka said, “They should 100% get rid of dubs. It’s for failed singles players, There’s no such thing as a ‘doubles specialist’... they don’t sell a single ticket." He added "They take up practice courts/physios/resources. They don’t turn a profit and they complain that they don’t make enough $$. That’s pretty greedy behaviour if you ask me.”
Rohan Bopanna's emotional post
Bopanna has now posted an emotional message and defended the doubles style of tennis. The 44-year-old posted "For everyone dismissing doubles tennis—understand this: playing doubles and earning an income from it has given me the power to give back in ways that truly matter."
Thank you 🙏... pic.twitter.com/bHa03sFGF0
— Rohan Bopanna (@rohanbopanna) February 21, 2025
He added “It has helped underprivileged children discover the sport, provided education for over 30 girls, and built an academy that nurtures future champions. And let me tell you—those benefiting from these opportunities don't care whether the support comes from singles or doubles earnings. What matters is that it's changing lives."
Other doubles players like Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani joined Bopanna to defend their play. In a joint statement, they said “We see it as a profound injustice, that disrespects an entire category of players.” Some fans even said, “At some times doubles players are more competitive than singles players.” Alexander Muller who won the Hong Kong singles titles wrote “Watch more doubles” on the courtside camera and supported his doubles friends.
Alexandre Muller did this after his R16 singles win in Rio...#WatchMoreDOUBLES
— Will Boucek (@WillBoucek) February 21, 2025
h/t @84chakipic.twitter.com/EsxyBBB08G
Tennis always needs both styles of play. While the singles stand for individual resilience, doubles promote teamwork and partnership. Some players not liking the format doesn't matter, the thing that really matters is the opportunity doubles games provide for new players to succeed in tennis.
Also Read: Rohan Bopanna slams US Open's Mixed Doubles changes, Cities negative impact on Indian players