Bopanna responds to Opelka's criticism of the double: "There are those who, from their privileged position, debate who deserves more or less."

Reilly Opelka created controversy when he gave his opinion on the existence of doubles, explaining that specialists in the discipline would be "singles players who have failed".

Rohan Bopanna, Indian tennis legend and winner of 26 doubles titles, responded on his Instagram account:

"For those who criticize doubles, understand this: playing doubles and earning a salary from it has given me the power to give back to those who need it.

I've helped underprivileged children discover the sport, given over thirty girls access to education and built an academy that trains future champions.

And let me say this: those who are underprivileged don't care where the money comes from, whether it's winnings in singles or doubles. What matters is that it changes lives.

Then there are those who, from their privileged position, sit back and debate who deserves more or less. They fail to grasp the bigger picture, the real impact of the sport.

Tennis isn't just about rankings and prize money, it's about the doors it opens, the lives it transforms, the opportunities it creates. If you can't respect that, then you don't respect the game."