At the Brisbane International, Jamie Murray has raised concerns about the future of doubles tennis, citing the overwhelming schedules that players face. Highlighting an electric match featuring stars Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic, who drew a massive crowd with their charismatic play, Murray noted that such attention to doubles is rare despite its inherent entertainment value.
In an interview, Murray expressed that while top singles players participating in doubles can boost its popularity, the current tournament schedules do not support prolonged involvement. This issue was evident on a day when Jiří Lehečka and others had to juggle singles and doubles matches within a tight timeframe, raising concerns about fatigue and financial incentives.
Lehečka, despite playing in both finals, exemplified a commitment not often seen due to the significant prize money disparity between singles and doubles. This financial gap, where singles champions earn considerably more, dissuades many from dedicating full effort to doubles competitions.
Murray believes modifications could be made to better accommodate doubles within the hectic tennis calendar. He suggests restructuring tournaments to start earlier in the week to allow for better player commitment. As a tournament director, Murray sees potential in enhancing the doubles format without significant financial burden, aiming to make it a more appealing product that taps into its existing fan base.
