Brit gives tennis authorities both barrels after winning doubles at Wimbledon

Henry Patten lamented that tennis authorities regard doubles as “a pain in the a–” after he became the first British player to win two men’s doubles titles at Wimbledon since the Second World War.

Patten, from Colchester, recorded a 7-6, 7-6 win with his Finnish partner Harri Heliovaara in the final to regain the title the pair won in 2024. But Patten said doubles remains marginalized on the professional tennis circuit. He urged the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), which organizes the men’s tour, to do much more to promote the format.

Advertisement

“For example, if you look at the ATP Tour Instagram page [doubles] semi-final day, there were no men’s singles matches that day, but there were no reports of doubles. I don’t see why that is the case,” Patten said.

“It’s hard. I think there really needs to be a big cultural shift and a change in the culture of the ATP, which is obviously hard to change in any organization. But I just wish they had more of a growth mindset, instead of seeing it purely as a pain in the a–, as it seems like right now. It’s really hard to change that. But I’m optimistic that we can change it.”

Patten said the strong crowd during his campaign, which culminated in him clinching the title with an ace, showed the support that existed among tennis fans for doubles. He urged other tournaments to follow Wimbledon’s example and showcase it more prominently.

“There’s a very strong narrative that the product itself is just not good enough. I don’t think that’s true. I think we’ve proven that to be wrong,” he said.

Advertisement

+

Patten said there is enough money in professional tennis to keep doubles alive.

“Let’s focus on growing and investing in the sport and creating more opportunities for people from different backgrounds. I think that’s very important.

Advertisement

“Taking away doubles will not help the poorer children, or the children who are far away from tennis centres, or the children who can only play twice a week. We should encourage people from different backgrounds to play tennis and feel like they can make a living from tennis. We need to grow that.”

Patten hopes to hold discussions with senior figures on the ATP Tour in the coming weeks to discuss how doubles can be better supported. Ideas he has suggested include doubles players being brought in to play pro-am events with amateur players and to play with sponsors.

“We hope to organize a number of meetings. This will be done through the head of player relations at the ATP,” he said.

“I’ve asked for contact information for the ATP tournament directors. I’d really like to talk to them, see if they have any ideas, see how doubles players can add value for them outside of playing doubles matches, whether that’s pro-ams, playing with sponsors or other things.”

Advertisement

“I’m optimistic that those meetings will happen over time. A small group of doubles players can hopefully sit around the table, so to speak, and meet the senior players. I hope that will happen, but it hasn’t happened yet. We’re trying.”

Patten’s moment in history was missed by his fiancée, who worked shifts as a doctor. “She certainly would have watched and at least followed as much as she could,” he said. “She is incredibly talented and is the brains of the relationship.”

Patten and Heliovaara have won three Grand Slam titles together, with this victory against Marcelo Arévalo of El Salvador and Mate Pavic of Croatia joining those at Wimbledon in 2024 and the Australian Open in 2025. No one on either side was broken throughout the match, but the pair secured victory with two fine tie-breaks and celebrated by falling to their knees on Center Court.

“There’s a moment where everything feels like it’s happening in slow motion, and everything is still,” Patten recalled of his ace. “And then the crowd realizes it and you realize it. Then it kind of erupts.”

Advertisement

After winning his second Wimbledon title, the 30-year-old hopes he will be rewarded with membership of the All England Club.

“I would like to have one. It seems like a very nice club,” he said with a smile. “I’d like to. If they let me in, I’ll take it.”

Try full access to The Telegraph for free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.