Former world No. 17 tennis player, Reilly Opelka, has reignited a controversy in the sport by reiterating his scorn for doubles competition. Seemingly unrepentant, the American has once again taken to his social media platforms to voice his radical opinions, even amid mounting criticism and scrutiny.

Opelka, known for his outspoken views, has taken a swipe at the doubles format, suggesting that it should be completely eliminated from the sport. His comments have stirred up a storm in the tennis world, particularly his assertion that doubles is a refuge for “failed singles players,” implying that the format lacks the prestige and competitiveness of singles tennis.

The American tennis ace’s disdain for the doubles arena was evident in his recent Instagram post where he sarcastically encouraged his followers to “watch more doubles.” This comment was not only a direct jab at doubles players, but also a reflection of his steadfast belief that the format does not contribute positively to the sport as a whole.

“I was being sarcastic they should 100% get rid of dubs,” Opelka boldly stated in a comment section on Instagram. “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 $$,” he added, effectively accusing doubles players of being greedy.

In a further twist, Opelka suggested a drastic change to the doubles format if it were to remain part of the sport. His proposed solution was to reduce the doubles draw to just eight teams and only allow singles players to enter. This idea, while radical, reveals the depth of his contempt for the current doubles setup.

The backlash against Opelka’s provocative comments was swift and strong, but the 27-year-old remained unfazed. In what appears to be a silent response to his critics, Opelka updated his Instagram bio to “watch more doubles,” a clear dig at the ongoing controversy.

For those familiar with Opelka’s commentary, his latest tirade is not surprising. A few years ago, the American player was similarly critical of doubles, describing it as a “pretty boring competition.” His persistent criticism and radical suggestions for change have not only sparked debates within the tennis community but also raised questions about the future of doubles in the sport.