# ATP proposed doubles tournament and prize money reforms

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/atp-proposed-doubles-tournament-and-prize-money-reforms
> Updated: 2026-10-26T16:48:09.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

Tennis professional Andrea Vavassori, a member of the ATP Player Advisory Council, expressed opposition to proposed 2028 changes that would reduce prize money and the number of participating pairs in doubles competitions. Vavassori argued the reforms would shift the resource distribution from an 80%-20% split to a 90%-10% split in favor of singles, describing it as a “lack of respect for doubles professionals” and a failure to invest in the discipline’s growth.

Following these concerns, a coalition of 137 active players, 33 former players, and 20 national federations issued an open letter to the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) requesting a reversal of the structural changes. The protest targets plans to halve the number of doubles pairs in Masters 1000 tournaments from 32 to 16 and reduce the prize pool share for doubles from 20 percent to 10 percent, a move estimated to reallocate approximately $20 million toward singles competition.

Signatories argue these cuts threaten the livelihoods of doubles specialists and undermine the long-term health of the sport. While the ATP maintains that these reviews are part of a broader effort to create a “sustainable long-term model for the tour,” the ATP board is scheduled to vote on the proposals during the year-end meetings in Turin next month.

## Claims

- More than 150 men's doubles players signed an open letter to the ATP. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The ATP proposes reducing the number of doubles pairs in Masters 1000 tournaments to 16. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Smaller tournaments would be limited to eight doubles pairs under the proposal. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The proposed doubles prize money share would drop from 20 percent to 10 percent. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The changes are intended to take effect in 2028. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The ATP Tour Board will vote on the proposals at the ATP Finals in Turin next month. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The open letter was signed by 28 tennis legends and 20 national federations. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- 137 active players, 33 former players, and 20 federations signed a letter to the ATP board. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The ATP is considering moving $20 million from doubles prize money to singles. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Proposed changes would reduce ATP Masters 1000 doubles draws from 32 teams to 16 teams. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The structural adjustments are being reviewed for implementation in 2028 and beyond. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The ATP will hold year-end meetings in Turin next month. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-26: ATP doubles players protest proposed prize money and draw cuts

Over 150 tennis players and 20 federations have urged the ATP to rethink plans to cut doubles prize money by $20 million and reduce tournament draws starting in 2028.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tennis-players-urge-atp-to-reconsider-doubles-format-changes

### 2026-09-28: Andrea Vavassori protests proposed ATP cuts to doubles prize money

Tennis player Andrea Vavassori is protesting proposed ATP changes for 2028 that would reduce prize money and resources for doubles competitions to favor singles players.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/andrea-vavassori-protests-proposed-atp-cuts-to-doubles-prize-money

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Cite as: ATP proposed doubles tournament and prize money reforms. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/atp-proposed-doubles-tournament-and-prize-money-reforms