Roger-Vasselin against double ATP reform: “It makes no sens…
Roger-Vasselin against the ATP doubles reform: “It makes no sense”
At 42, Édouard Roger-Vasselin, 18th in the world in doubles, is leading the revolt against ATP reform which threatens the balance of tennis. Analysis of the issues.
At 42 years old and still 18th in the world in doubles, Édouard Roger-Vasselin criticizes the ATP doubles reform, which he considers “absurd” on a sporting and economic level. The French veteran, winner of Roland-Garros in doubles in 2014 alongside Julien Benneteau, warns of the consequences of a system which would drastically reduce bonuses and points for doubles players. According to him, this reform, planned for 2025, directly threatens the attractiveness of the discipline, already struggling to attract and retain talent.
“We are asked to play more for less. This is total nonsense,” he said at a press conference in Paris. Top doubles players, including Roger-Vasselin, are now considering a boycott of Wimbledon 2024 to put pressure on the ATP.
This threat, unprecedented in the history of tennis, adds to the criticism from national federations and players, who denounce a lack of consultation. The ATP justifies its reform by the need to “rebalance” the bonuses between singles and doubles, but opponents see it as an attempt to marginalize the discipline. “The ATP reform will kill the doubles,” said Roger-Vasselin, stressing that players like him, at the end of their careers, would be the first to be sacrificed.
He recalls that doubles represents 30% of ATP circuit tournaments, but only 10% of the income distributed. An inequality that the reform would worsen, according to him. The reactions are not limited to the players.
Tournament organizers, particularly those of Grand Slams, are starting to worry. Wimbledon, already under pressure for its status as a non-ATP tournament, could be the first to suffer the consequences of a boycott. “If the best players do not come, the quality of the show will suffer,” warned an official on condition of anonymity.
Doubles players, often relegated to the background in the media, see this reform as a frontal attack on their livelihood. “Without doubles, tennis loses part of its soul,” summarizes Roger-Vasselin, who is banking on collective mobilization to push back the ATP. This revolt is part of a broader context of tensions between the ATP and the players.
Since 2020, relations have become tense, particularly over the distribution of income and the governance of the circuit. The doubles reform is only one episode of a deeper conflict, where players are demanding greater transparency and better consideration of their interests. Roger-Vasselin, as a historical figure of the double, embodies this opposition, but he is not alone: duos like Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut, or even Rohan Bopanna, have joined the movement.
Doubles, a discipline often seen as a poor relation of tennis, nevertheless plays a key role in the training of young players. Many future champions, like Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic, started with doubles before specializing. A marginalization of doubles could therefore have long-term repercussions on the quality of singles, depriving tennis of versatile talents.
Roger-Vasselin recalls that “without doubles, tennis loses part of its soul”, but it is also a discipline which trains team spirit and strategy, essential qualities for any player. Tournament organizers, aware of the danger, are beginning to consider alternative solutions. Some, like Roland-Garros, have already increased bonuses to double in 2024, hoping to set an example.
Others are considering innovative formats to attract more spectators, such as evening matches or team competitions. But these initiatives remain isolated and will not be enough to compensate for an ATP reform which, if applied, could nullify years of efforts to promote double. The reactions are not limited to the players.
National federations, like the FFT, openly support Roger-Vasselin and his allies. “Doubles is a discipline in its own right, and it deserves to be treated with the same consideration as singles,” declared an FFT spokesperson. This growing mobilization could force the ATP to review its copy, especially if sponsors start to worry about the impact on the image of tennis.
What's next: Player mobilization could intensify between now and Wimbledon 2024. An emergency meeting between the ATP and player representatives is planned for the end of June. If no compromise is found, the boycott could become reality, marking a turning point in the history of professional tennis.
Tournament organizers, under pressure, could also accelerate their own initiatives to save the doubles, creating an unprecedented dynamic in the circuit. Read at L'Équipe Tennis
Why this matters
The ATP doubles reform crystallizes the tensions between economic logic and sporting balance in tennis. Through Édouard Roger-Vasselin's fight, the entire survival of doubles as a discipline in its own right is at stake. His status as a living legend and his role as spokesperson for a generation of players give this battle a symbolic dimension. If the reform passes, it could accelerate the decline of doubles, already less publicized than singles, and deprive fans of a unique spectacle. Conversely, a decline in the ATP would open the way to a fairer overhaul, but at the cost of an unprecedented standoff in tennis. This conflict also reveals the deep fractures within professional tennis, where the interests of players, organizers and the governing body clash openly for the first time in years.
Frequently asked
What is the ATP doubles reform criticized by Roger-Vasselin?
The ATP plans to drastically reduce the points and bonuses awarded to doubles players from 2025, in order to “rebalance” income between singles and doubles. Opponents see it as a marginalization of the discipline.
Why are players threatening to boycott Wimbledon?
The best doubles players, including Roger-Vasselin, want to put pressure on the ATP to cancel or modify the reform. A boycott of Wimbledon 2024 would be a strong signal, because the tournament is one of the most prestigious in the world.
What are the economic risks for doubles players?
With the reform, bonuses and duplicate points could fall, making the discipline less financially attractive. Players at the end of their careers, like Roger-Vasselin, would be the first affected.
Has the ATP responded to player criticism?
The ATP has not yet given in to the demands, but an emergency meeting with player representatives is planned for the end of June 2024. For the moment, the body is maintaining its reform, arguing a need for “rebalancing”.
Why is doubles less publicized than singles?
Historically, singles attracts more sponsors and viewers because it highlights individual stars. The double, although technical and spectacular, suffers from a lack of media visibility and comparable income.
What role do national federations play in this crisis?
Several federations, such as the FFT in France, openly support doubles players and Roger-Vasselin. They denounce a reform which threatens the balance of tennis and call for better consideration of the discipline.
