Players rebel against tennis tour because of ‘existential threat’ to the sport

July 4, 2024

WIMBLEDON – Some of the world’s best doubles players have threatened legal action because changes to the game pose an “existential threat” to their livelihoods.

The players were forced to protest against plans to reduce the number of doubles places in the tournaments after Wimbledon.

A letter threatening legal action – signed by 49 players, including more than half of the top 20 doubles players in the world – was sent to the men’s professional tour earlier this week. I have learned.

The ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) subsequently withdrew plans to restrict registrations for tournaments in Hamburg, Gstaad, Newport, Bastad and Kitzbühel in July, but I understands that this is only because the Tour feels they did not adequately inform the players.

Players remain concerned that the reintroduction of participation restrictions later this year “could destroy the ability of many doubles players to continue to make a living from their sport.”

“This unlawful removal of the opportunity to earn ranking points and prize money will have consequences throughout the year,” the players wrote.

“In addition, a continuation (of the restrictions) throughout the year and beyond would pose an existential threat to the entire doubles sport and would be contrary to the ATP’s obligations to its player members.

“We look forward to the lifting of the new participation restrictions before the applicable tournament registration deadline for each of the tournaments.

“If the restrictions are not lifted, the affected players will examine their legal options.”

Players were not informed of the proposals until June 30, just two weeks before their introduction.

The ATP apologized for the delay in communicating with players, but was accused of making “a cynical attempt to enforce the (restrictions) in a way that does not allow the affected players to respond appropriately, thus inadvertently condoning the end of the entire doubles competition.”

A top 50 player who wishes to remain anonymous said I: “It’s a threat to the entire doubles ecosystem. They effectively want to eliminate jobs for doubles players.

“It’s all well and good to say, ‘It’s just a try, it might never happen,’ but would anyone be happy if their employer told them they wanted to give them ‘a trial period’?”

The proposed restrictions are part of a series of tests in men’s doubles play designed to revitalise the format. Previous tests took place at the Madrid Masters and then at the Queen’s earlier this summer and had two main aims: to speed up play and to encourage the participation of big-name singles players in the draw.

Despite the reversal in access restrictions, the ATP will continue to implement rule changes that limit the gap between points to 21 seconds. In addition, tournaments between Wimbledon and the Olympics will again introduce only 40-second seat breaks to speed up matches. Spectators will also be able to move freely in and out of the arena, not just during changeovers.

The row comes in a week when doubles is more in the spotlight than ever after Andy Murray withdrew from singles but announced he would play men’s doubles with his brother Jamie and mixed doubles with Emma Raducanu. Jamie Murray, the No. 25 doubles player, apparently did not sign the letter to the tour.

The proposals are presented by the ATP Rules Committee “in consultation with the ATP Doubles Committee”.

However, I assumes that leading members of the Double Committee did not agree with the proposals to change the participation rules.