Tennis
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Is Professional Doubles on the Ropes
It's played recreationally by well over 90% of all tennis players on the planet. It is what leagues and socials and mixers and Pro-Ams and member-guests and exhibitions — and on and on and on — are made of. Go to the club on a Saturday morning, and you'll see it on most courts. Obviously, I'm referring to the good ol’ fashioned sport of doubles. It's as traditional as it gets and as popular as ever.
It's as popular to play, that is.
But the question has become: is doubles as popular to watch?
Doubles Thrives Recreationally But Struggles Professionally
Professional doubles, in particular, seems to be — dare I say — "under attack" as of late, and pro doubles players are feeling the heat from none other than some of their singles-specialist counterparts. Specifically, in a nutshell, singles players are questioning whether or not the doubles players are worth the resources that they are afforded on tour.
"We sell the tickets, we bring in the sponsors, we move the merch," is the argument the singles players make. And to an extent, the doubles players do not entirely disagree.
What Do Doubles Specialists Bring to the Table?
Their retort, however, is that "we give a tournament more tennis to offer the fans, and although Carlitos and Coco may have brought them to the site, we give them more options for viewing. We help create what becomes a full day's experience at the tournament. We add value to the price they paid for admission."
As a teaching pro myself, I think of doubles specialists' effect on the sport's overall ecosystem. Doubles players often become hard-working academy coaches, high school and college coaches, and club professionals. They keep the industry healthy and current.
The fact that 90+% of rec players play mostly doubles makes the pro doubles specialist a perfect fit for the industry long-term.
Criticism from Within the Ranks
Still, the debate continues, and some criticism has come from big names. Reilly Opelka, in a 2022 podcast interview, was blunt in his assessment:
“Doubles is the most unwatchable form of tennis. Why are we prioritizing it?”
And further: “If you’re not good enough to play singles, you play doubles.”
While some took offense, others saw it as a stark reflection of how doubles is perceived — as secondary, even expendable. Opelka’s comments added fuel to a discussion that’s been quietly simmering: is doubles truly essential to the tour, or simply nostalgic filler?
Should Pro Doubles Be Cut — or Celebrated?
So, the question is no longer a casual debate among insiders — it’s a pressing crossroads: Do we phase out professional doubles in favor of a singles-centric business model, or do we double down on efforts to market, promote, and reimagine the format in a way that captivates fans and showcases its unique appeal?
Personally, I’m firmly in favor of the latter. Doubles offers something distinct — faster reflexes, more strategic interplay, team chemistry, and a type of energy that singles simply doesn’t replicate. But sentiment alone won’t save it. In the end, the final verdict won’t come from coaches or commentators — it will come from ticket buyers, broadcast ratings, and sponsors. Economics, not emotion, will decide the future.
I just hope doubles starts to "hit its numbers" — whether through better storytelling, smarter scheduling, or stronger promotion — so it doesn't quietly shrink into irrelevance or, worse, disappear altogether. Because if it does, it won’t just be a format we lose — it would be a piece of tennis history, culture, and community that vanishes with it.
