"If everything was working well, I suppose this reform wouldn't have been considered" - Alex de Minaur has his say on proposed doubles changes

The debate surrounding doubles tennis is continuing with another top player having his say. Alex de Minaur admitted that the ATP may have a point about reforming doubles as he suggested that the category was not working as well as intended.

This whole debacle commenced at the start of Wimbledon when some radical and harsh changes were proposed by the ATP set to be introduced in men's doubles in the near future. The changes include the Masters 1000 doubles field from 32 to 16 pairs and the 500 and 250 events from 16 to eight.

As well as that, prize money is set to take a hit as well in favour of singles tournaments, which do get a lot more traction than doubles. With the ratio set to 80:20 in favour of singles, that number is set to go up to 90:10 with doubles players set to be impacted heavily by this.

While competitors on court, they have come together away from it as they lambast the ATP for a lack of communication and transparency with these decisions and have since posted the same message on social media.

It read: "Our Tour. Our Future. A stronger sport isn’t built by creating fewer opportunities. Professional doubles has always been part of tennis’s identity, and its future deserves the same commitment, respect, and vision as every other part of the game. We stand for a sport that continues to create opportunities for generations to come. Standing together for the future of our sport."

While the doubles players are in uproar, Reilly Opelka has signalled that this may be the correct decision. He posted on Instagram: “The problem isn’t doubles… it’s the doubles players — aside from Granollers, Zeballos and Vasselin.” He followed up by writing: "It’s not rocket science… nobody watches because they lack talent.”

De Minaur, who is one of the best singles players in the world, does partake in doubles from time to time. Recently teaming up with fellow singles talent Cameron Norrie in Monte-Carlo and Queen's, he has not been on the winning side much as of late. He also represents his country in such events like the United Cup, Davis Cup and the Olympics in the past.

It is common for singles players to venture into doubles. Played as a bit of fun or to keep fit and healthy in between singles clashes, a lot of top players are given wildcards for events across the calendar.

In his press conference following his third round win at Wimbledon, he stressed where his focus lay while not wanting to comment too much on the ongoing situation.

"I'm a singles player. I play doubles from time to time, but I don't attend those meetings or make those kinds of decisions," he said. "I don't have much to say or contribute on this subject. In a way, I just do what I'm told. For many years, my schedule has practically been all about playing singles. It's been a long time since I played doubles in a Grand Slam. My real goal is individual matches, and I just try to give my best in that format."

He did suggest that if doubles were working well, then nothing would have been considered in changing it. The world number six was not sure on this with him not up to date with the data on this specific topic.

"We have to look at the numbers. I don't have the data in front of me. If everything was working well, I suppose this reform wouldn't have been considered," he acknowledged. "I know a lot of these players. They train, put in hours of work, and prepare like any other tennis player. Obviously, it's not pleasant to see such a situation, but it probably all comes down to a question of numbers. I suppose that if these decisions have been made, it's for a reason."