Rohan Bopanna did not instantly point out Reilly Opelka however he seemed to be addressing the American’s current feedback in a prolonged message he posted on his Instagram.
After talking negatively about doubles prior to now, the big-serving American obtained again to shading that specific competitors this week.
Within the remark part of 1 Instagram submit, Opelka stated that tennis ought to “100 percent get rid of doubles” earlier than additionally stating that there’s “no such thing as a doubles specialist.”
Additionally, the 27-year-old stated that doubles gamers are nothing else however “failed singles players.”
“They should 100% get rid of dubs. It’s for failed singles players. They don’t sell a single ticket, they take up resources…”
Reilly Opelka took to my IG feedback with one other fascinating tackle doubles… pic.twitter.com/DOvw6PkM81
— Christian’s Court docket (@christianscourt) February 19, 2025
And whereas the four-time ATP champion acquired some criticism and backlash from followers as a consequence of his sturdy doubles stance, his feedback additionally caught consideration from some gamers.
Bopanna: With the cash I earned, I helped underprivileged kids, supplied schooling…
The 44-year-old Indian, who has been solely targeted on doubles for the final decade and a half, has gained 26 titles within the competitors and has been ranked as excessive as No. 1 on the earth.
And he has made a strong dwelling out of tennis, netting $7.1 million over the course of his profession.
However for Bopanna, the titles and the cash aren’t an important a part of his success – however the truth that he was in a position to make use of his place to positively change lives.
“For everyone dismissing doubles tennis-understand this: playing doubles and earning an income from it has given me the power to give back in ways that truly matter,” the 2024 Australian Open males’s doubles champion stated in a message posted on his Instagram Story.
“It has helped underprivileged children discover the sport, provided education for over 30 girls, and built an academy that nurtures future champions.
“And let me let you know – these benefiting from these alternatives do not care whether or not the help comes from singles or doubles earnings. What issues is that it is altering lives.
“Yet, there are those in their positions of privilege who sit back and debate who deserves more or less. They fail to grasp the bigger picture-the true impact of this sport.
“Tennis is not nearly rankings or prize cash; it is in regards to the doorways it opens, the lives it transforms, and the alternatives it creates. If you cannot respect that, then you do not really respect the sport.”
Rohan Bopanna message© Rohan Bopanna/Instagram – Fair Use
Last year, Bopanna became the oldest first-time world No. 1 in tennis history after achieving the feat at the age of 43 in 2024 January.
