Reilly Opelka has thrown another brutal shade at doubles, ripping doubles players as “failed singles players.”
Over the years, the big-serving American has called out the doubles competition several times and he always makes sure to clearly show how much he dislikes that particular competition.
Recently, the US Open announced some major changes to their mixed doubles tournament – it will be reduced to 16 teams – top singles players are preferred – and it will be a very short match format with Fast-4 rules.
After top-ranked American male tennis player Taylor Fritz expressed support for the move, Opelka wrote in the comment section of one Instagram post: “Disrespectful towards doubles specialists… let’s cancel this guy @taylor_fritz.”
Opelka clarifies: I was being sarcastic… Doubles is for failed singles players
After a fan brought up how he used to blast doubles in the past, the big-serving American explained himself.
“I was being sarcastic they should 100% get rid of dubs,” the 27-year-old wrote.
“It’s for failed singles players, there’s no such thing as a ‘doubles specialist’.. they don’t sell a single ticket, they take up practice courts/physios/resources they don’t turn a profit and they complain that they don’t make enough $$.
“That’s pretty greedy behavior if you ask me.”
“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 comments with another interesting take on doubles… pic.twitter.com/DOvw6PkM81
— Christian’s Court (@christianscourt) February 19, 2025
Christian’s Court – the Instagram account on which the conversation took place – asked Opelka what about singles players who regularly compete in doubles.
“There are so few that it doesn’t move the needle.. the best solution would be to cut the doubles draw down to 8 teams and only allow singles player to enter. Or… just get rid of it,” Opelka said.
If you wonder when the American played doubles last time, it happened nearly four years ago during the 2021 Rome Masters.
A year earlier, he even won a doubles title after winning Atlanta with Jannik Sinner.
But considering the comments he has been making about doubles over the last few years, it’s hard to expect Opelka signing up for a dubs tournament again.
Tennis World USA