Wimbledon 2026 #1

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Big changes are coming – and it's causing unrest and anger

In the future, the doubles categories may end up taking up much less space on the ATP Tour.

Several major media outlets are reporting these days that major changes are coming to professional tennis in the doubles categories.

L'Equipe , RMC Sport and Bounces are among the media outlets reporting that the ATP is working to significantly reduce the influence of doubles from 2028.

-Right now, doubles players get 20 percent of the total money distribution, while singles players get 80. Going forward, that distribution will be 90-10 in favor of singles players.
-The number of doubles pairs in Masters 1000 tournaments will be reduced to 16 pairs. Right now that number is 32.
-At smaller tournaments, the number of doubles pairs is reduced to 8. Right now that number is 16.

The media reports that 50 of the world's best doubles players were summoned to a meeting with the ATP in connection with Wimbledon, and it was here that they were informed about the ATP's plans for the doubles categories from 2028 onwards.

It is said that the doubles players are – of course – deeply dissatisfied with the plans.

The fear is primarily that in the future it will be virtually impossible to break into the top 20, and that it will primarily be the same players who participate each time.

RMC Sport has spoken to Edouard Roger-Vasselin, one of the world's best doubles players, and he does not hide his anger.

- Their wish is to reduce the role of doubles in its entirety, so of course we must fight against that. That is why we are talking to the media so that everyone is aware of what can happen, he says at the outset.

"We are very worried"
The top French player, who won the ATP tournament in Eastbourne on grass last week with his partner Hugo Nys, has no doubt why the ATP has presented new doubles plans.

- The primary motivation is that the doubles cost too much money. They (ATP, ed.) don't make any money from it. At least that's the message they're sending, and we don't agree with that.

"We are part of the tennis family and it makes me sad that there are some who want to cut it off. It is clear that we are very concerned," the Frenchman told RMC Sport.

L'Equipe has also spoken to Edouard Roger-Vasselin's partner, Hugo Nys. And he also laments the ATP's plans.

- I would like to discuss this further when things become a little more official. Right now I can say that it is difficult for me to understand why a sport that is doing so well would intend to eliminate job opportunities.

"It would simply and quickly destroy any hope of a career in doubles," he told L'Equipe .

There are currently no plans for the doubles categories to also be reduced in the Grand Slam context.

However, the US Open already went into action last year and made significant changes to the mixed doubles category.