Rohan Bopanna didn’t directly mention Reilly Opelka but he appeared to be addressing the American’s recent comments in a lengthy message he posted on his Instagram.
After speaking negatively about doubles in the past, the big-serving American got back to shading that particular competition this week.
In the comment section of one Instagram post, Opelka said that tennis should “100 percent get rid of doubles” before also stating that there is “no such thing as a doubles specialist.”
Also, the 27-year-old said that doubles players are nothing else but “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 comments with another interesting take on doubles… pic.twitter.com/DOvw6PkM81
— Christian’s Court (@christianscourt) February 19, 2025
And while the four-time ATP champion received some criticism and backlash from fans due to his strong doubles stance, his comments also caught attention from some players.
Bopanna: With the money I earned, I helped underprivileged children, provided education…
The 44-year-old Indian, who has been solely focused on doubles for the last decade and a half, has won 26 titles in the competition and has been ranked as high as No. 1 in the world.
And he has made a solid living out of tennis, netting $7.1 million over the course of his career.
But for Bopanna, the titles and the money aren’t the most important part of his success – but the fact that he was able to use his position 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 men’s doubles champion said 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 tell you – those benefiting from these opportunities don’t care whether the support comes from singles or doubles earnings. What matters is that it’s changing 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 isn’t just about rankings or prize money; it’s about the doors it opens, the lives it transforms, and the opportunities it creates. If you can’t respect that, then you don’t truly respect the game.”
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.
Tennis World USA