Doubles champion Patten 'OK about not being recognised'

BBC News

3 days ago

Defending Wimbledon men's doubles champion Henry Patten is happy to remain out of the limelight compared to his fellow British singles players.Patten and partner Harri Heliovaara have won two Grand Slam doubles titles in the past 12 months, at Wimbledon 12 months ago and the Australian Open in January.The pair return to defend their title at the All England Club next week, and the 29-year-old from Colchester is philosophical about the relative lack of attention he receives."If Jack Draper goes and wins a couple of Grand Slams, then that's a much bigger deal and I am completely OK with that, " he told BBC Look East."I am completely OK about being able to walk down streets and not being recognised. But more people are coming up to me and asking for an autograph and a chat which I really enjoy engaging with."
Patten doubled his career prize money in a fortnight alongside Heliovaara last year, when they beat Australian 15th seeds Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson in the final on Centre Court."It's surreal, it feels like yesterday, I don't think it's sunk in," Patten admitted."At the end of tournaments it's very quiet but when we go back there it's going to be carnage because it will be so much busier. But I can't wait for my first hit on the grass again."It will hit me when I see my name on the winners' board. I'll go and see the trophy again and it'll bring back lots of great memories."Patten's success with Heliovaara in Melbourne proved their Wimbledon title was no fluke.The pair defeated Italians Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori after more than three hours on court, the match finishing at 2:00am."I'm so pleased we backed Wimbledon up," said Patten."I had to keep taking coffee all night. By 1:00am people had started to filter out but we had some loyal supporters left."It cemented us near the top of the world rankings."
Choosing tennis over accountancy
Patten's life could have been very different. After studying finance at university in the United States, he was offered a job with Ernst & Young during the Covid pandemic. But he was also given an opportunity to play a few professional tennis tournaments and chose that route instead. "Thank God I made that decision," he said. "I am so relieved I did.""I remember I played in India at some 15k events to start with and it's been quite a journey."He joined forces with Heliovaara in April last year and they won their first ATP title together in Marrakech."We get along really well," said Patten."As a tennis player you talk a lot with your partner and we are best friends. That's the secret."Patten's two Grand Slam trophies are kept on the top shelf at home and admits they badly need a polish as he pursues the target of becoming the world's number one ranked doubles player."It's been a wild ride," he added."We are trying to keep pressing on and are hunting the world number one spot [together] and I am currently three."There will be high pressure to defend the trophy, but I am incredibly excited. There are lots of ranking points to defend but my name will always be there however we do."