Australia’s top player says he doesn’t want to get involved in an ongoing argument between doubles players and the ATP over proposals to reform the event before adding that the focus should ‘be on the numbers.’
Alex de Minaur secured his place in the last 16 at Wimbledon by defeating Zachary Svajda 6-2, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4. By doing so, he has made it through to the last 16 of a major event for the 15th time in his career and for the fourth time at Wimbledon. The only other active Australian male player to reach the last 16 at SW19 as many times as him is Nick Kyrgios.
De Minaur’s progression in the tournament comes as some of his peers are locked in an argument with the ATP over its plans to reform doubles. Following a recent meeting, proposals have been put forward to reduce the size of draws. Officials also want to reduce the 80:20 split of prize money between singles and doubles to 90:10.
In reaction to these plans, doubles players have issued a statement calling for such changes not to happen. Voicing concerns about transparency and the wider implications this will have on the sport. In an interview with Ubitennis, coach of world No.1 doubles player, Calvin Betton, has blasted the proposals.
“I have heard of it, as we all have heard of it,” de Minaur commented when quizzed about the issue on Saturday.
“Look, I’m a singles player. I play the occasional doubles. I’m not in those meetings, making those decisions.
“I don’t have much to say or much input when it comes to that. I kind of do as I’m told. As I said, my schedule for many, many years has consisted of playing singles. I haven’t played doubles at a slam for a long time.
“My real focus is just singles, and I’m just trying to do the best I can on that.”
The 27-year-old admits he is not in the right position to give a full answer on the issue, as he has not been presented with the full information. Although he adds that such proposals wouldn’t be put forward if there weren’t issues.
“We’ve got to look at the numbers,” he said.
“I don’t have the numbers in front of me. If it’s working, then I’m sure there wouldn’t have been cuts.
“I know a lot of these players; they train, they put in the hours, they do all the training that any other player does. It’s obviously not nice to see, but it all comes down to probably numbers.
“I’m assuming that if these decisions have been made, it’s for a reason.”
De Minaur could exit Wimbledon with a top-five debut in the ATP rankings and be as high as fourth in the world. To put such a milestone into perspective, the last Australian man to be in the top five was Lleyton Hewitt. However, de Minaur will also need luck on his side. He must go deeper in the draw than Felix Auger-Aliassime, who won his third round match on Friday in straight sets.
