Reilly Opelka has responded to backlash that he received following the recent comments he made about doubles.
Opelka recently suggested that doubles should be removed from the tour, claiming that it was for ‘failed singles players’ in response to Taylor Fritz supporting the US Open mixed doubles event changing this year.
These social media comments caused a huge reaction, with many criticizing the former world number 17.
However, not everyone has gone against him, with former world number one Andy Roddick showing support to Opelka.
Roddick is not the only former player to have had their say, with 23-time Grand Slam doubles champion Bob Bryan also reacting to the Opelka controversy.
Now Opelka has responded to the backash, but perhaps not in the way that some people would expect.
Reilly Opelka explains why he does not regret controversial doubles comments
Despite reaching four doubles finals in his career, including winning a title with Jannik Sinner at the Atlanta Open in 2021, Opelka has not backed down from these comments.
When speaking on the Nothing Major Podcast, Opelka reiterated his belief that doubles players do not financially benefit the sport.
Opelka, who is currently the world number 105 in singles, also called for the ATP to scrap doubles from lower level Challenger tournaments.
“I think what I said was 100% correct. I think it is all right,” said Opelka. “Have you ever met a junior tennis player when you were growing up at the USTA tournaments that said, I’m here at Internationals to – I’m playing singles but I want to be a doubles player when I grow up.
“They definitely don’t bring in. They cost 20% of the tournament’s revenue. They kill the Challengers and they kill the ATP 250’s. Just destroy those tournaments and that affects the tour massively in my opinion.
“Someone 250 in the world should be able to afford a coach and physio and have a decent quality in life. A guy 200 in the world is pretty good at what he does!
“If you got rid of doubles in the challengers that would free up so much money, so much expenses. From the hotels, to the referees to the food that they’re responsible for on site, prize money. Everything. That would propel the sport forward quite a lot, just buy giving challengers more money.”
Reilly Opelka says if anyone has confronted him about these comments
Opelka most recently competed at the sunshine double of Indian Wells and the Miami Open to varied success, after winning only two of his four matches.
Although he was knocked out in first round of Indian Wells, Opelka explained that the tournament did do something that he liked by not allowing doubles players on the site until the Saturday before the tournament started.
The 27-year-old also claimed that he is one of many players who has these views about doubles players, and has actually received more support than backlash from his colleagues.
“The beauty so far about Indian Wells is that they are not allowing doubles guys on site until Saturday, which is unbelievable,” said Opelka. “Everyone is super happy about it. It’s funny, I have actually had way more support the last few days than anything.
“I think all the doubles guys think I am the only one who thinks this way, which is hilarious. I’m like dude, you are really that delusional that you think I am the only person who thinks this. I thought you guys knew!
“I haven’t had anything directed really towards me. I know there are some salty guys, people have sent me things from guys I have never even heard of. They are probably like 40 in the world at doubles.
“That happens all the time. I remember there’s one player, singles player, there were these two other guys practicing and hitting at the US Open and we were like who are these guys, how did they get their own court. I was like I have no clue and my coach, Jay, was like I have never seen them before in my life.
“We look them up, they were like top eight in the world at doubles. Nobody knew who they were!
I am curious once the doubles guys get here. I think for the most part they get it. There is always going to be a couple of salty ones, a couple of usual suspects.”
These latest comments from Opelka, who is next scheduled to compete at the Barcelona Open, are only likely to provoke more reaction towards him.
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