Doubles trouble brewing as Wimbledon finalist Patten takes aim at ATP
· Yahoo Sports
Henry Patten knows only victory in the men’s doubles final at Wimbledon on Saturday will get him and partner Harri Heliovaara on the ATP Tour Instagram page amid the sport’s ongoing civil war.
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The four-man format at the All England Club has been overshadowed after a proposal was presented at an ATP Player Council meeting last week that would mean from 2028 doubles draws would be halved and prize money reduced in favour of singles players.
It has sparked outrage in the doubles community and British left-hander Patten has been one of the most outspoken, but not let it distract the world number one pair from another deep run at a grand slam.
Patten and Heliovaara progressed into Saturday’s showpiece on Centre Court against Mate Pavic and Marcelo Arevalo with a 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (10-8) victory over Thanasi Kokkinakis and Aleksandar Kovacevic in front of a packed Court One crowd on Thursday.
The thrilling triumph has not made it onto the ATP’s Instagram page yet and nor did Patten and Heliovaara after they finished runners-up at Roland Garros.
“The reality is you need to win a slam or be in the final of a slam to be anywhere near their Instagram page. I don’t see why they couldn’t promote eight guys,” Patten said.
“Their argument is, ‘oh you guys are always changing your partnerships,’ – no, the top guys are not. So, they have these odd narratives like, ‘no one watches doubles,’ but Wimbledon have done a pretty good job of selling out crowds for doubles this week on every court.
“They would say it doesn’t really count because it’s Wimbledon, everyone is there, but what are you talking about? Of course it counts.
“You should be aiming for your tournaments to be as successful as these, so I would love to see them change their mindset with the doubles. I would love them to see it as an opportunity for growth alongside the singles, but we’ll see.”
Patten has consistently railed against the proposals, which occurred with little consultation as the ATP pursue “a more sustainable long-term model while maintaining doubles’ important role on the tour”.
Given Patten mastered his craft on the Challenger Tour and had never made it beyond the third round of a major before he won the Wimbledon doubles in 2024, he is aware the changes could prevent players like him emerging.
Two-time grand slam champion Patten said: “They are talking about cutting lots of jobs effectively and it means in 10 years’ time, if these proposals go ahead, they are basically saying people like me shouldn’t be on the ATP Tour, which I take quite personally and I think is wrong.
“We need to get in front of board members, the CEO and the chairman. We need to sit down and talk to them.
“We’re tired of the discussions going on behind closed doors and the players having to react to that. It is not good enough.”
Patten will channel his focus on revenge over Saturday’s finalists Pavic and Arevalo, who beat the duo on the grass at Queen’s Club.
“It will be a difficult match but we have to remind ourselves that we’re doing really well and to go for it,” Patten insisted.
The Press Association has approached the ATP for comment.