Rajeev Ram urges ATP to promote doubles amid proposed 2028 changes

Rajeev Ram urged the ATP to do more to promote doubles rather than cut entries and prize money, speaking in Bengaluru on Monday during a felicitation by the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association. His remarks came in the context of proposed major changes to men’s doubles scheduled for 2028.

Proposals to make major changes to men’s doubles, set to be enacted in 2028, have raised concerns, including moves to halve doubles entries at ATP Tour events and to cut the prize money share for doubles. Ram is a six-time Grand Slam champion who retired after his men’s doubles semifinal exit at the U.S. Open earlier this month. The 42-year-old American, who has family roots in Bengaluru, was felicitated by the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association on Monday.

“The ATP should do a little bit more to promote the discipline of doubles. Most people, as amateurs and recreational players, play doubles. We have some amazing stories to be told. The team aspect of doubles, which lends itself to great stories, is untapped right now. So instead of talking about cutting, I would love to see more being done to promote doubles,” Rajeev Ram said here on Monday.

“When I played singles for 13 years, a decent part of my income came from doubles. So it is not discouraging for just doubles players, but for tennis in general. It is discouraging for anyone looking to pursue a career in professional tennis,” he said.

Greater Bengaluru Authority Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao felicitates Rajeev Ram as others, including his mom, look on. Photo Credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J. The piece was published on September 21, 2026 at 08:41 pm IST and updated at 08:42 pm IST the same day.

The proposed changes to men’s doubles are scheduled to be enacted in 2028; Ram’s comments were made amid those plans.