Henry Patten’s Journey in Men’s Doubles Tennis
Henry Patten, the defending champion of the Wimbledon men’s doubles, expressed satisfaction with his lower profile compared to other British tennis stars. Alongside his partner Harri Heliovaara, the duo has celebrated remarkable success in the past year, clinching two Grand Slam titles—the first at Wimbledon last year and the second during the Australian Open in January.
Reflections on Fame and Success
As they gear up to return to the All England Club to defend their title next week, Patten reflected on his growing recognition.
“If Jack Draper were to win a few Grand Slams, that would certainly be a much bigger story, and I’m completely fine with that,”
he stated in a conversation with BBC Look East.
Patten, a 29-year-old from Colchester, shared his feelings about the increasing number of fans approaching him for autographs and conversations, which he genuinely appreciates. After an incredible fortnight last year where Patten and Heliovaara edged out Australian 15 seeds Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson in the Wimbledon final, Patten remarked on the surreal nature of the victory, proclaiming,
“It feels like just yesterday; I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet.”
Anticipation for Wimbledon
As they prepare for their return to Wimbledon, he anticipates the crowd will be much larger. He reminisces,
“When I see my name on the winners’ board again and visit the trophy, it’ll remind me of all those wonderful memories.”
Proving Their Worth
Their Australian Open victory reaffirmed their Wimbledon success, showcasing their prowess by overcoming the Italian team of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in a demanding three-hour match that concluded at 2:00 am.
“I’m thrilled we could prove that Wimbledon wasn’t a one-off; it has solidified our spot near the top of the world rankings,”
Patten reflected, noting the challenging conditions of that night which required him to rely on coffee to stay alert.
A Different Path
Interestingly, Patten’s journey to tennis stardom could have taken a different path. After completing his finance studies in the United States, he received a job offer from Ernst & Young during the pandemic. However, he chose to pursue his passion for tennis by participating in professional tournaments instead.
“I’m incredibly grateful for that decision,”
he revealed, recalling his early tournaments in India.
Strengthening Their Partnership
Since teaming up with Heliovaara in April of last year, they captured their first ATP title in Marrakech, which further strengthened their partnership. Patten described their bond, stating,
“We communicate a lot, and we are best friends, which is the key to our partnership.”
Aiming for the Top
His two Grand Slam trophies proudly occupy a shelf in his home, currently in need of some polishing as he aims for the pinnacle of men’s doubles tennis—the world number one ranking.
“It’s been a wild ride, and we’re determined to keep pushing forward together. I’m currently ranked three, and while the pressure to defend our title is immense, I’m thrilled for what’s to come. Regardless of the outcome, my name will always be associated with those victories,”
Patten concluded.
