Wimbledon champion Henry Patten is urging singles players to oppose a proposed ATP Tour overhaul known as “Product 28,” which would significantly reduce doubles draw sizes and shift prize money distribution. Patten recently highlighted the support of Italian player Flavio Cobolli and Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime as key allies in challenging the plan to halve doubles participation at various tour levels by 2028.
The proposal, internally termed “Product 28,” seeks to prioritize singles players by shrinking the available slots for doubles teams. According to the plan, doubles draws at Masters events would be reduced from 32 teams to 16. At ATP 500 and 250 tournaments, the draws would shrink from 16 teams to just 8, creating a minimal bracket for competition.
Beyond draw sizes, the ATP proposal includes a redistribution of prize money that would widen the financial gap between the two disciplines. The current prize money split, which favors singles players at 80-20, is proposed to shift to a 90-10 split in favor of singles.
Patten Seeks Singles Player Advocacy via Flavio Cobolli
Speaking on the Changeover Podcast, Henry Patten detailed his efforts to build a coalition between doubles specialists and top-ranked singles players. Patten stated that during the Wimbledon championships, he discussed the potential impact of the format changes with several players in the singles Top 10.
Patten identified Flavio Cobolli and Félix Auger-Aliassime as the most supportive individuals among those he consulted. According to Patten, Cobolli expressed a willingness to speak up about the issue, though the Briton clarified he does not expect singles players to initiate the conversation “out of the blue,” but rather to address it when questioned by the media.
The push for singles player advocacy stems from a perceived lack of visibility for doubles athletes. Patten criticized the ATP’s social media strategy, claiming that players generally need to reach a Grand Slam final to receive promotion on the tour’s official Instagram page. He questioned why the organization could not promote a broader group of eight players to increase the profile of the doubles game.
Financial Disparity and the ‘Doubles Dream’
The debate over “Product 28” coincides with existing tensions regarding the pay gap between singles and doubles champions. At the most recent Wimbledon Championships, the singles champions each received $4.8 million, while the winning pairs in the men’s and women’s doubles events shared a total of $1,012,282 Wimbledon Official Site.
Former world number one doubles players Bob and Mike Bryan have expressed frustration with the proposed direction of the tour. Bob Bryan stated during a press interview at the All-England Club in July that if the proposal passes, it will “kill the doubles dream” for young or college players attempting to enter the professional circuit.
Bryan argued that the proposed changes would block the financial pathway for new players to make a living. He noted that from a financial perspective, the tour appears to be at its healthiest point, suggesting that the ATP should be expanding opportunities for doubles players rather than restricting them.
Impact of Draw Reductions on Professional Livelihoods
The proposed reduction in draw sizes represents a significant contraction of the professional doubles ecosystem. By moving from 32 to 16 teams at Masters events and halving the fields at 500 and 250 levels, the ATP would effectively eliminate half of the competitive opportunities for doubles specialists at these tiers.
For specialists who do not compete in singles, these draws are the primary source of ranking points and income. The combination of fewer available slots and a shift toward a 90-10 prize money split would create a compounded financial hit for players who rely exclusively on the doubles circuit.
The tension highlights a growing divide in the ATP’s philosophy: the desire to maximize the commercial appeal of singles stars versus the preservation of doubles as a viable professional career path.
The ATP has not yet announced a final vote or implementation date for the “Product 28” changes, but the proposal targets a 2028 rollout. Players and stakeholders continue to monitor official ATP communications for updates on the proposal’s status.
We invite readers to share their views on the balance between singles and doubles in professional tennis in the comments below.
Worth a look