Former world number one John McEnroe believes doubles no longer has a place at the world’s biggest tennis tournaments.

The 54-year-old American won more doubles titles at grand slams than he did singles, but with the world’s greatest players no longer taking part in both forms, he believes the discipline has become devalued.

“Why we are even playing doubles at this point is a mystery to me,” McEnroe said.

“I love doubles but I don’t even recognise what this is.

“If there was a volleying contest from the service line, most of these guys couldn’t.

“They play an inch from the net. It is like wham, bam... thank you ma’am.

“If you cut out doubles and gave that money to singles players ranked between 200 and 1,000, maybe that would do something for the game.”

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