Riley Opelka does subtle digging in doubles, highlighting low crowds for doubles final at Indian Wells after Carlos Alcaraz vs Yannik Sinner SF
On another occasion, Riley Opelka confessed that he dislikes doubles tennis, highlighting the low crowds at Saturday’s Indian Wells men’s doubles final. Opelka noted that the stadium quickly became relatively empty after the singles semi-final between Carlos Alcaraz and Janik Sinah, which was the last singles match of the day at Stadium 1.
Opelka has repeatedly spoken out against doubles, most recently expressing its belief that the format should be scrapped from the ATP Tour because fans are not interested in watching doubles tennis. I’m here.
Opelka made its point again, sharing a photo of few fans in the stands of the doubles final between Rohan Bopanna/Matthew Ebden and top seeds Neil Skupski/Wesley Koolhoff.
“The stadium was quickly cleared after Alcalaz vs Sinner,” Riley Opelka wrote on Instagram.
The men’s doubles final turned out to be a historic occasion, as Bopanna became the oldest Masters 1000 champion in history at age 43. Thanks to Bopanna and Ebden beating Skupsi and Koolhoff in the final with her 6-3 2-6 10-8. .
Earlier in the day, Daniil Medvedev beat Francis Tiafoe 7-5, 7-6(4) in his first men’s singles semi-final. Alcalazbeat Sinner 7-6(4), 6-3 in the second semi-final on Sunday.
‘4 walkovers in 2 rounds’ – Riley Opelka’s previous doubles bargains
Riley Opelka early in the tournament emphasized Indian Wells saw four byes in just the first two rounds of the doubles event as certain players sacrificed doubles matches in favor of singles campaigns. I felt that the fact that he presented a good image of doubles, using the example of a singles player playing doubles, only proved his point.
“Journalists who use top-ranked singles players as examples of people watching doubles further prove my point,” wrote Opelka.
Earlier, in response to a fan’s question about one of the big changes they’d like to see on the Tour, Opelka was suggested If he feels fans only watch when the top singles players are playing, or when the now-retired Bryan brothers are playing, the ATP should “get rid of the doubles.”
“Stop playing doubles and all people are looking at are singles players or the Bligh Brothers,” he wrote on Instagram.
World No. 112 opelka Due to injury, he has not played on tour since the 2022 City Open in Washington DC in early August.