“Doubles is so underrated and underappreciated,” – Reilly Opelka’s suggestion to “to get rid of doubles” has tennis fans divided

Social media users are making their opinions known on Reilly Opelka's comments on doubles matches.

Reilly Opelka (Image Credit: EuroSport)

The American tennis professional Reilly Opelka is known for his bold comments. Recently, he gave all the tennis fans something to ponder upon. In an Instagram Q&A session, he gave a wild suggestion to discontinue doubles events in both ATP and Grand Slam tournaments.

Reilly Opelka is ranked No.112 in the world in ATP singles rankings. However, he has also played in the ATP tournaments as doubles pair. He paired up with Jannik Sinner and won the Atlanta Open 2021 men’s doubles title. He also reached the career high ranking of No.89 in doubles.

Meanwhile, a tennis news gathering website The Tennis Letter has shared his views on social media regarding doubles events in tournaments.

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Reilly Opelka on what he would change about ATP Tour: “Get rid of doubles, only time people watch are when its singles players or the Bryan Bros."

I am a news source first & try not to get involved in drama. But this is a sad statement. Especially by a professional tennis player pic.twitter.com/WItv9SFJPE
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 12, 2023

“Reilly Opelka on what he would change about ATP Tour: “Get rid of doubles, only time people watch are when its singles players or the Bryan Bros,” the caption read.

Reilly Opelka has been away from action on tennis courts since a very long time. He last played in the French Open in 2022. He was knocked out of the tournament in the first round itself. Since then, he has missed out playing in many tournaments this season.

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IMG COM 20230313 1728 22 7972 — Reilly Opelka (Image Credit: USOpen.org)

Reilly Opelka has not played a single match this season. He was troubled with hip and ankle injuries that led him to miss out on the latter half of the 2022 season. However, no reasons were given to media when he decided to withdraw his name from the Australian Open.

He has missed out on playing in the subsequent ATP tournaments. He is also not playing in the sunshine doubles- Indian Wells Open and the Miami Open. The American has also dropped ranking points and is now out of Top 100 in the ATP rankings. Also, there is not clarity on when he will be making his return to the tennis tournaments.

Meanwhile, his comments has become a topic of discussion on social media. Many are giving their own opinions. Many consider that it may be a valid point. On the other hand, many do not agree with him Here are a few reactions that came in.

He’s not wrong tho. No one watches professional doubles. At the same time, most adults who play tennis generally play more doubles than singles yet that doesn’t translate to viewership numbers or interest. It’s always been odd to me.
— JasonJasonJason (@The74727) March 12, 2023

The problem with double is that it's always changing and no real team to cheer for. Players should decide if they will either only play double or single before each year. If they chose double then they have to keep the same partner all year long.
— Joël Plourde (@joelplourde) March 12, 2023

Only about 20-40 doubles players can make a living on tour

It’s about as exclusive as professional polo

Yet generates hardly any profit to sustain itself

As a fan of natural , self sustainining processes I agree with Riley here
— Gaelen (@GaelenBet) March 12, 2023

Honestly, of all the things he could change he chooses this! Doubles is so fast and entertaining watch. Wish it was shown more
— Callum MacKenzie (@Callumnonumbers) March 12, 2023

I personally think that doubles is so underrated and underappreciated – I also remember Opelka stating somewhere that doubles players were some of the most overpaid athletes in the world. I've never understood the damaging rhetoric about doubles in tennis. It's just plain sad.
— Camilla Larsen (@CrazyDanegirly) March 12, 2023

I enjoy doubles often more than I do the singles. And that's what a lot of club players have to play – Doubles, and it's good if we can see doubles … More doubles should be shown on TV.
— joanheels (@joanheels) March 12, 2023

https://twitter.com/AgarsView/status/1635178740639731712

I believe that we can agree that doubles are not as popular as singles when watched. They are more amateur friendly though as one grows older. On the other hand, the extremely tall guy tennis is very boring as it is only about 230Km/h serve and sometimes a second hit.
— Panos (@Panos3960) March 13, 2023

Remind me how unpopular doubles have been at the Australian Open?
— Matty (@MatanSlonim1997) March 12, 2023

In my opinion, Opelka is one if not the most intelligent professional tenis player. He is honest and open minded character and he just said the truth. In spite of all the above I believe that doubles do contribute to tenis as a sport, regardless of negative economics outcome.
— Parmakovic Baskija (@Drveni_most) March 13, 2023

doubles is fun, very strategic and entertaining. I don’t think the casual fan appreciates it and it’s also obviously not a money maker for both player and tournament. that’s a hard call https://t.co/EjRQvPJyKJ
— Andre (@drebepetty) March 12, 2023

Tennis fans and his friends on the tour expect Reilly Opelka to return to courts soon. However, wheneverer he does return he will be a force to reckon with and a dangerous opponent for other players on the ATP tour.