Angry players urge ATP rethink over doubles cuts

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Finland's Harri Heliovaara (left) and Britain's Henry Patten - the world number ones and reigning Wimbledon champions - have signed the open letter

By

BBC Sport tennis news reporter

More than 150 men's doubles players - including British world number one Henry Patten and the legendary Bryan brothers - have urged the ATP Tour to rethink "drastic" changes which they believe could kill the format.

In a show of collective action, the players have written an open letter to the men's governing body as they fight proposals which would cut draw sizes and reduce prize money from 2028.

"We're at risk of losing a discipline of tennis which is historic - but has a big future," Dutch player Sem Verbeek, one of the architects of the letter, told BBC Sport.

"These proposals would destroy careers, livelihoods and dreams."

The ATP proposed halving the doubles draws at its flagship Masters 1000 events to 16 teams, with smaller…