local
Doubles players condemn ATP Tour's plan to cut prize money and tournament sizes
By Mattias Karén, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 3, 2026
· 4 min read
For tennis players like Harri Heliovaara, playing doubles has provided a lasting career in the sport and even a chance to win Grand Slam titles, despite not having much success in singles. Now Heliovaara, the No. 1 ranked doubles player in the world, is among those fearing for the future of the f...
Key takeaway “There has been instances in the past where the future of doubles was very (uncertain),” Heliovaara, the 2024 Wimbledon doubles champion, told The Associated Press at the All England Club on Friday.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
The controversy surrounding the ATP Tour's plan to cut prize money and tournament sizes for doubles players has significant implications for the local tennis community in Piney Point Village . With many residents actively engaged in the sport, the potential demise of doubles as a viable profession could impact local tennis programs and events. The reduction in doubles draws and prize money may also affect the number of professional tennis tournaments held in the Houston area, including Piney Point Village. This, in turn, could lead to a decrease in opportunities for local players to compete and learn from top-ranked doubles players like Harri Heliovaara. As the ATP Tour reassesses its doubles model, local tennis enthusiasts will be watching closely to see how the changes will affect the sport's presence and popularity in their community. The fate of doubles tennis may have a ripple effect on the local sports landscape, making it a story worth following in the coming months.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 3, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? For tennis players like Harri Heliovaara, playing doubles has provided a lasting career in the sport and even a chance to win Grand Slam titles, despite not having much success in singles. Now Heliovaara, the No. 1 ranked doubles player in the world, is among those fearing for the future of the f...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Mattias Karén, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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