'Complaining While Getting Free ATP Handouts Is Crazy': Opelka Fires Back at Doubles No. 1 Henry Patten
Opelka responds to Patten's Wimbledon motivation admission: 'If we're so bad, come beat us'
The controversy surrounding doubles continues.
Reilly Opelka has responded to comments from Henry Patten, recent Wimbledon winner and world No. 1 in doubles, after the Briton explained that the American's criticism gave him extra motivation.
'If we're really as bad as they say, come beat us'
Patten had revealed that his Wimbledon semifinal against Thanasi Kokkinakis and Aleksandar Kovacevic held special significance.
'My semifinal against Thanasi and Kova... we absolutely had to win it. After all that history with Reilly Opelka, it was a high-stakes match.
I knew Opelka was watching the match. If singles players are annoyed by the money Lloyd Glasspool is earning, come beat us. I look forward to that.
I love facing singles players. If we're really as bad as they say, come beat us. I assure you it doesn't happen often,' the world No. 1 doubles player said on the Changeover podcast.
Opelka stays firm
The American was quick to respond.
In the podcast comments, he wrote: 'The sense of privilege is incredible... Getting free help from the ATP and complaining is crazy.'
For several months, Opelka has openly criticized the doubles circuit. He believes specialists should receive a smaller share of prize money and had previously called doubles players 'failed singles players.'
