There is a wall, and there is handwriting on it—along with the hand-wringing about it: That mixed madness event was a one-night exhibition for which winners Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa earned $250,000—$50k more than the winners of the “official” US Open mixed.
Seemingly In response to Fritz’s ringing endorsement, his pal and generational peer Reilly Opelka took to social media to disparage doubles and, frankly, say what some players have been thinking all along. In comments on Instagram, Opelka declared:
“They should 100% get rid of dubs. It’s for failed singles players.” Opelka also trashed doubles for absorbing resources without pulling in audiences. “They don’t sell a single ticket, they take up practice courts, physios, resources. . .”
Those comments were hurtful to many doubles players, among them successful singles champions like former French Open runner-up Sara Errani, and highly respected doubles stars including Rajeev Ram and Kristina Mladenovic.
