The Mutua Madrid Open is underway, with the women’s singles progressing to the third round and the men’s singles reaching the second round. The women’s doubles event has also started, but due to the new ATP trial implemented in Madrid, the men’s doubles draw has not been released yet. Some players, like India’s Yuki Bhambri, don’t know if they will make the draw.
The ATP announced earlier this month that Madrid would be the first tournament to test the new rule of reserving only 16 spots out of the 32-team doubles draw for players based on their rankings. The other spots will be granted to players who can sign up using their singles ranking, resulting in fewer opportunities for doubles specialists to earn points and prize money. Bhambri, who is unsure of how this will work, believes it may create confusion among the players.
Bhambri also acknowledges that the ATP officials are trying to attract more singles players to join the doubles events but is uncertain whether it will be effective. He suggests that the ATP should focus on promoting the doubles game and its players to increase its popularity, and believes doubles needs more exposure on streaming platforms and television as well.
