Voice actors raise their voices against ATP cuts

The ATP is planning a major change for 2027, cutting the budget for doubles tournaments as it believes they are not yielding the expected returns with this format. This has caused widespread discontent among doubles players, who have raised their voices through a strong statement reaffirming the importance of their role.

Official statement from the doubles players to the ATP

The ATP must find a better balance between commercial interests and its responsibility to all professional players and the legacy of this sport.

Doubles is a fundamental part of the history and identity of tennis. Fans enjoy watching the best teams compete, television networks value its dynamism, and sponsors appreciate its reach. It is a unique and beloved format within our sport. A format that deserves more visibility, not less.

We also firmly believe that the future of doubles should be built collaboratively, with the participation of players, national federations, and tournament organizers. The current proposals have not shown the broad support required for changes of such magnitude. Implementing modifications of this scale without widespread backing can undermine the confidence of the entire tennis community in the leadership of the ATP.

The current plans would mean reallocating approximately 20 million US dollars in doubles prize money to singles, while significantly reducing professional opportunities for doubles specialists. This change would make it much more difficult for talented players to develop and maintain a professional career in this format. A healthy professional sport cannot rely solely on a small group of superstars: it needs to offer pathways for players to progress, compete, and make a living.

Doubles is also the format of tennis that most people play. In clubs around the world, millions of people have their first contact with tennis through doubles, alongside friends, family, teammates, and members of their local communities. It is the most accessible entry point to our sport: a social, inclusive format that is essential to the tennis culture. Reducing professional doubles sends the wrong message to the very people who keep this sport alive.

Instead of implementing drastic cuts, we urge the ATP to protect doubles draws with significant participation and viable professional opportunities while developing a serious long-term plan to promote this format and make it more appealing to fans, television networks, and sponsors.

We do not oppose reforms; we want to help shape them. Any change must strengthen the sport as a whole, not weaken an essential part of it. That is why we ask the Board of Directors and ATP leadership to reconsider the proposed cuts and work with us to build a better future for professional doubles.

Commercial success is important. Equity, player welfare, and the long-term health of tennis are equally important.

Let’s grow tennis together, without leaving doubles players behind.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Los doblistas alzan la voz ante los recortes de la ATP