Reilly Opelka, a prominent figure in American tennis, recently found himself in the line of fire for his controversial comments about the doubles format in tennis. While making some stark remarks, he labeled doubles-focused players as ‘failed singles players’ and called for the discontinuation of doubles altogether. His comments, expressed on Instagram, ignited a furor among fans and players alike, most notably from doubles player Rohan Bopanna, leading to a broader discourse on the value of doubles in the sport.
Andy Roddick, a respected veteran in the sport, has now weighed in on the matter. Rather than overtly criticizing Opelka, he acknowledged the latter’s forthright character while disagreeing with his views. He expressed his thoughts on the ‘Served with Andy Roddick’ platform, stating, “Listen, Reilly, love him or hate him, you rarely have to wonder what he’s thinking and he’s certainly not scared to tell you what he’s thinking. So, regardless of if you agree with the opinion, I kind of like characters like Reilly, who will just say what they’re thinking.”
Opelka, known for his powerful serves, stirred up the tennis community when he voiced his harsh opinions about doubles. He stated, “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, 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 behavior if you ask me.”
These comments did not sit well with many. Rohan Bopanna, a professional doubles player, took it upon himself to respond to Opelka’s remarks, penning a lengthy message to elucidate why the comments were disrespectful and misguided.
It’s worth noting that Opelka is not a stranger to the doubles format. Despite not having competed in a doubles tournament for nearly three years, he has had his share of the game in the past. Back in the summer of 2021, Opelka paired up with Jannik Sinner to clinch a doubles title in Atlanta.
The fiery discourse ignited by Opelka’s comments underlines the ongoing debate about the relevance and significance of doubles in professional tennis. As the conversation continues to unfold, the tennis community will undoubtedly watch with bated breath.