"People will watch doubles because they play doubles" It's totally true that the vast majority of recreational players play doubles, but my perception is that the vast majority of pro tennis viewers don't play themselves at all.
I like doubles, but I’ll never be able to like it as much as singles. And I’d want my fav players to do what they need to win singles GS. Which could mean not playing doubles to stay fresh
I saw Laver & Emerson play Ramirez & Gottfried, but I have no idea who the double players are now. In the 70s pro tour (WCT, before ATP) the tour was small, and players pretty much had to also play doubles just to fill up the schedules. With 5 level tournaments now, there are so many players that singles players don't need to also play doubles. The thing is, there are plenty of boring singles matches to go around, but boring doubles matches are infrequent.
When I think of tennis, I don't think of doubles at all. Yet I am old enough to (vaguely) remember McEnroe-Fleming, Navratalova-Shriver, and the Woodies. Those matches got attention and were great! Such a good topic for thought and discussion -- thank you.
Even youtube channels like Tennis TV pump out singles highlights within hours of a match but dubs highlights, even for finals, take several days to make to the channel.
Won't lie... I'm too old and slow to play singles now.... and enjoy the social aspect of doubles. Maybe you don't want to watch it, unless there are brand name singles players participating, but like Pickelball, doubles Padel, darts and bowling, rather play than watch it. Doubles tennis and Pickleball, the play is too fast to follow, the point drama doesn't build like in singles tennis or even doubles badminton, because the birdie floats, giving your eyes time and brain to process it.
As a former pro player, and a tennis fan who watch all level of tennis from ITF to Grand Slam, I'd say I disagree with what's said in the video. I think the main reason is exactly that doubles has became more and more boring nowadays, mostly because of the power enhancement on racquets, which led to doubles players have to heavily rely on overpowering their opponents and avoiding long rallies. This results in points are usually end in 3-4 shots, which isn't spectacular at all to fans, especially those who watch tennis for excitement. Tbh I'd rather watch mixed doubles rather than mans doubles which does 1-2-punch 80% of the time. Changing the format/schedule etc. to attract "tennis stars" won't help IMO, because if they're already "tennis stars" in singles, there's just no point for them to play in doubles. If they want to play doubles seriosly, it'd require additional practice session for doubles; and regardless how you change the format and schedule, there's still a chance to get injured in the match. If they're already "tennis stars" in singles, there's just no need for them to sacarfice the time to practice for doubles, risking getting injured and lose sponsorship, just to get some additional prize money in doubles. Most of what's said in the video could probably give doubles a short and quick boost, but still, if the contents in doubles remain the same, it'd still back to the same place in the end.
At least team tennis either at the high school or college level in the US has historically included doubles for every dual match. Way back in the early nineties when I played, dubs at the D2 level was still 2 out of 3 regular scoring. This has been abbreviated now, but there's no doubt there are benefits to playing doubles that can help your singles quite a bit.
I do not like to play doubles and probably because of that I don't want to watch these events. I might watch one doubles game where top 4 players play but I wouldn't be interested in another one. Sometimes there are doubles show matches and I think that those might show it in bad light putting off potential viewers (and myself) even more
The body can only take so much. So if you're going to make a decision about what events to enter, you want to do the ones that will give you the best return for your effort. And as far as the return goes, yes, its usually the money. I can pretty much guarantee that if doubles players got ten times the amount that singles players got,. all of a sudden you'd have everyone playing doubles. It's less work, and also, arguably, a little more fun.
Tennis promotes dopers like Sinner, don't giving exposure to Mahut-Herbert or Isner-Schwarzman pairings. Doubles players should make it to themselves to the level of pure doubles exhibitions, since ATP\WTA doesn't care.
No more doubles would be bad
"People will watch doubles because they play doubles"
It's totally true that the vast majority of recreational players play doubles, but my perception is that the vast majority of pro tennis viewers don't play themselves at all.
Remember when all the top players would play Doubles at Indian Wells ;(
I like doubles, but I’ll never be able to like it as much as singles. And I’d want my fav players to do what they need to win singles GS. Which could mean not playing doubles to stay fresh
Doubles in badminton is so fun. Tennis should be the same.
The Williams sisters made women’s doubles interesting
I saw Laver & Emerson play Ramirez & Gottfried, but I have no idea who the double players are now. In the 70s pro tour (WCT, before ATP) the tour was small, and players pretty much had to also play doubles just to fill up the schedules. With 5 level tournaments now, there are so many players that singles players don't need to also play doubles. The thing is, there are plenty of boring singles matches to go around, but boring doubles matches are infrequent.
When I think of tennis, I don't think of doubles at all. Yet I am old enough to (vaguely) remember McEnroe-Fleming, Navratalova-Shriver, and the Woodies. Those matches got attention and were great! Such a good topic for thought and discussion -- thank you.
Doubles are fine. Casual players like me will continue to play doubles.
"How can we save doubles?" More money for the players, it's that simple.
Doubles is needed
Even youtube channels like Tennis TV pump out singles highlights within hours of a match but dubs highlights, even for finals, take several days to make to the channel.
Won't lie... I'm too old and slow to play singles now.... and enjoy the social aspect of doubles. Maybe you don't want to watch it, unless there are brand name singles players participating, but like Pickelball, doubles Padel, darts and bowling, rather play than watch it. Doubles tennis and Pickleball, the play is too fast to follow, the point drama doesn't build like in singles tennis or even doubles badminton, because the birdie floats, giving your eyes time and brain to process it.
imo double matches are unattractive to watch, with way too few long rallies. i think the rules for doubles have to be adjusted.
99% of doubles rallies are barely more than 3 shots.
As a former pro player, and a tennis fan who watch all level of tennis from ITF to Grand Slam, I'd say I disagree with what's said in the video.
I think the main reason is exactly that doubles has became more and more boring nowadays, mostly because of the power enhancement on racquets, which led to doubles players have to heavily rely on overpowering their opponents and avoiding long rallies.
This results in points are usually end in 3-4 shots, which isn't spectacular at all to fans, especially those who watch tennis for excitement.
Tbh I'd rather watch mixed doubles rather than mans doubles which does 1-2-punch 80% of the time.
Changing the format/schedule etc. to attract "tennis stars" won't help IMO, because if they're already "tennis stars" in singles, there's just no point for them to play in doubles.
If they want to play doubles seriosly, it'd require additional practice session for doubles; and regardless how you change the format and schedule, there's still a chance to get injured in the match.
If they're already "tennis stars" in singles, there's just no need for them to sacarfice the time to practice for doubles, risking getting injured and lose sponsorship, just to get some additional prize money in doubles.
Most of what's said in the video could probably give doubles a short and quick boost, but still, if the contents in doubles remain the same, it'd still back to the same place in the end.
Interesting perspective. What do you think is the way out for Doubles?
Doubles never really had long points.
At least team tennis either at the high school or college level in the US has historically included doubles for every dual match. Way back in the early nineties when I played, dubs at the D2 level was still 2 out of 3 regular scoring. This has been abbreviated now, but there's no doubt there are benefits to playing doubles that can help your singles quite a bit.
I do not like to play doubles and probably because of that I don't want to watch these events.
I might watch one doubles game where top 4 players play but I wouldn't be interested in another one.
Sometimes there are doubles show matches and I think that those might show it in bad light putting off potential viewers (and myself) even more
Great discussion regarding an really interesting issue.
The body can only take so much. So if you're going to make a decision about what events to enter, you want to do the ones that will give you the best return for your effort. And as far as the return goes, yes, its usually the money. I can pretty much guarantee that if doubles players got ten times the amount that singles players got,. all of a sudden you'd have everyone playing doubles. It's less work, and also, arguably, a little more fun.
Audiences still prefer to watch singles. Everyone wants more money, where is it going to come from?
Jasmine Paolini plays dobble and single at high level
Tennis promotes dopers like Sinner, don't giving exposure to Mahut-Herbert or Isner-Schwarzman pairings. Doubles players should make it to themselves to the level of pure doubles exhibitions, since ATP\WTA doesn't care.
Doubles tennis is not very good to watch especially one sucky player among 3 better ones
Hallo from South Africa!!! 🩷🩷
감사합니다.