Richard Krajicek is in favour of proposals to cut the size of doubles draws at ATP events but has concerns about the implications for players.
In recent days, an argument has broken out between the ATP and its doubles players over proposals to restructure it. From 2028, the ATP would like to halve the size of the doubles draw to 16 teams at Masters 1000 events and to eight teams at their smaller events. Furthermore, they would like to adjust the prize-money ratio between singles and doubles from 80:20 to around 90:10.
In response, players have issued a joint-statement hitting back at the proposals, which they argue reduce the chances of doubles players making a living, lack transparency and threaten the existence of the discipline. Calvin Betton, who is the coach of world No.1 Henry Patten, has also questioned the ATP’s commitment to doubles in an interview with Ubitennis.
1996 Wimbledon champion Krajicek can see both sides to the argument. As a player, he won 20 ATP titles and 17 of those were in singles. He is also a former doubles semi-finalist at the Australian Open. Krajicek now serves as tournament director of the Rotterdam Open. An ATP 500 event that has been won by both Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in recent years.
“Doubles at the end of the week of a tournament is nice to have because you only have one singles final, so it’s nice to have a doubles final,” Krajicek told Ubitennis At The All England Club.
“Also on Saturday, the semifinals, even on Friday, before the finals, you want content for the crowd and also for TV.”
From a logistical perspective, the idea of slashing the size of the doubles draw is one that the former world No.4 is in favour of. Especially, when factoring in the current rules regarding match scheduling.
“It is difficult at the beginning of the week because a lot of singles players play doubles also, and you have to schedule them,” he explains.
“You’re not allowed to schedule singles after doubles. So let’s say you have somebody like Alcaraz, who is playing doubles, and you want him to play on Wednesday evening, but he is still playing doubles, and it has to be played on Wednesday because of whatever.
“Then you have to play Alcaraz in the daytime. But the night crowd wants to see Alcaraz. That gives some problems sometimes.”
Krajicek speaks honestly about the situation whilst admitting he still needs to get a better understanding of the implications such a change will have on the sport as a whole. As a tournament director, he does, at times, speak with the ATP about various topics. However, he hasn’t been involved in any discussions regarding these proposals before they were presented to doubles players.
One of those he has spoken with in recent days is Robin Haase, who is currently ranked in the top 50 in doubles. The 39-year-old is also a former top 40 singles player.
“I thought it was not a bad idea to go to eight (teams), to be honest,” he commented.
“Robin Hasse explained to me that a lot of doubles players might not make enough money to keep on playing. And then you lose doubles players.
“That also makes you think you don’t want that.
“It’s nice to have a smaller draw. At least for the tournaments, I think it’s nice. But you don’t want them (the doubles players) to not be there.”
It remains to be seen if the ATP’s plan will be changed following the backlash. Although Krajicek believes finding an agreement that everybody will be happy with is a tough ask.
“The solution probably won’t be perfect, but let’s see if we can find one that will work the best for players and for tournaments,” he said.
“If I knew what it was, I would have presented it (to the ATP). But it’s not easy.”
ATP has yet to publicly comment on its proposals to reform its doubles competition.
