Reilly Opelka faces heat from fans after distasteful comments against doubles specialists saying they are “failed singles players”

Reilly Opelka made a sarcastic comment on Instagram regarding Taylor Fritz's take on the new US Open doubles format.

Reilly Opelka faces heat from fans after distasteful comments against doubles specialists saying they are “failed singles players”

Taylor Fritz and Reilly Opelka (via X)

Reilly Opelka recently took a sarcastic dig at compatriot Taylor Fritz for backing new changes in the US Open mixed doubles. Opelka got into a heated conversation, where he reiterated his criticism of the doubles format in tennis.

The US Open recently unveiled their new format for the mixed doubles this season. The mixed doubles competition at this Grand Slam will now be a 16-team draw featuring eight wildcard pairs, while the other eight teams will be determined by the players’ ranking in singles. The event will also be held a week before the main draw.

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American No. 1 Taylor Fritz supported the changes, suggesting that the new schedule might encourage him to participate in doubles, as he wouldn’t have to play during the main draw weeks. However, Fritz also acknowledged the disappointment among doubles players, many of whom are critical of the new format.

Fritz’s statements were posted on Instagram, to which Reilly Opelka gave a sardonic reply, calling Fritz “disrespectful towards doubles specialists” and urging people to cancel him. When a fan questioned his stance, Opelka clarified that he was being sarcastic and reaffirmed his opinion that doubles should be removed from tennis, calling it an event “for failed singles players”.

They should 100% get rid of dubs. It’s for failed singles players. They don’t sell a single ticket, they take up resources…

Reilly Opelka wrote

Reilly Opelka has won a doubles title alongside Jannik Sinner

Despite his flak of the doubles event, Reilly Opelka has competed in the format several times. Opelka even clinched an ATP 250 title in Atlanta alongside Jannik Sinner in 2021. Meanwhile, Taylor Fritz is yet to win a title in doubles, however, he won the bronze medal in men’s doubles at the Paris Olympics alongside Tommy Paul.

Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner (Via X)

Tennis enthusiasts found Opelka’s comments to be very distasteful considering his own record in singles where he has won only 4 titles, none of them being above ATP 250 level. Fans have also questioned how many people would pay to watch Opelka.

Several prominent tennis players and Grand Slam singles champions have made their mark in doubles as well. The Williams sisters are an unbeaten pair in major doubles finals with 14 women’s doubles Grand Slam titles. They also won the Olympic gold medal thrice in women’s doubles.

Among men John McEnroe, Stefan Edberg, and Jimmy Connors, and among women Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, and Margaret Court are some legendary tennis players who have won titles in both singles and doubles in Grand Slams.