Henry Patten becomes Wimbledon men's doubles champion

Henry Patten was stunned by his and Finish partner Harri Heliovaara's remarkable Wimbledon men’s doubles success on Saturday. 

Patten, who went to Ipswich School and is a big fan of The Tractor Boys, won in superb tie break victory with he and his partner saving three championship points in the second set.

The pair dumped out a succession of seeds on the way to the final.

They triumphed over Australian pair Max Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson in a 6-7 (7) 7-6 (8) 7-6 (11/9) victor in front of a jubilant Centre Court crowd after two hours and 49 minutes.

Henry Patten (right) and Harri Heliovaara celebrate their victory (Mike Egerton/PA) (Image: PA)

It made Patten, from Manningtree, the first home winner of the 2024 Championships and only the third British player to win the men’s doubles Wimbledon title in the Open era after Jonny Marray and Neal Skupski.

The Ipswich-supporting left-hander said, “It’s bizarre for me because I probably wasn’t prepared to win this tournament. It is only the second time I’ve played it,” Patten said, having worked for IBM collecting statistics during the 2016 and 2017 editions of this grand slam.

Henry Patten celebrates his victory with Harri Heliovaara (Image: PA)

“So, yeah that’s a crazy stat. I idolised Jonny Marray and Skupski last year, they are big heroes of mine. To be joining them as Wimbledon champions is phenomenal. Yeah, that is a nice stat to have.

“It’s surreal and the most amazing thing about it is being there with family and friends, sharing it with them, those that have supported me for such a long time. I’m overwhelmed.”

Henry Patten (right) and Harri Heliovaara hold up their trophies (Mike Egerton/PA) (Image: PA)

Patten and Heliovaara rode their luck at times and the Briton’s father told them they were fortunate to win.

“My dad came up to me and said, ‘that was like a bank robbery’, which I thought was harsh but fair,” Patten added.

Patten’s only previous playing appearance at Wimbledon had resulted in a first-round exit alongside Julian Cash two years ago.

Harri Heliovaara, Henry Patten, Max Purcell, and Jordan Thompson with the trophies after the men’s doubles final on day thirteen of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. (Image: PA)

The victory spark emotional scenes as Patten and Heliovaara collapsed to the grass in disbelief.

The win meant he and Heliövaara racked up a transformative £650,000 in prize money.