Former doubles world No.1 Rohan Bopanna has responded to Reilly Opelka's suggestion that "doubles is for failed singles players".
It comes after Opelka shared his criticism of the doubles circuit after a fan questioned his "change of heart" on Instagram.
Ranked No.21 in the ATP doubles rankings at age 44, doubles has allowed Bopanna to "give back" to the tennis community.
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The Indian veteran hit back at Opelka's claims by posting a heartfelt message to his followers on X.
"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," Bopanna wrote, who won the 2024 Australian Open men's doubles title alongside Matthew Ebden.
"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."
Last week, the US Open unveiled a controversial decision to schedule the mixed doubles in the first week of qualifying to separate it from singles, as well as new format changes met with heavy scrutiny.
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