Henry Patten, the Wimbledon champion, has thrown his weight behind the doubles community, calling out the ATP Tour for its controversial plans to cut prize money and reduce doubles draws. In an exclusive interview, Patten shared his thoughts on the current state of doubles and the future of the sport, offering a unique perspective as a player who has achieved great success in the doubles arena.
The State of Doubles: A Player's Perspective
Patten's win at Wimbledon, alongside his partner Harri Heliovaara, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of doubles in tennis. As he noted, "I think we’ve kind of proven that [doubles] to be wrong. Of course, Wimbledon plays a huge part in that. People come to Wimbledon to watch tennis, whether it’s singles, doubles, wheelchair singles, wheelchair doubles, juniors, exhibition. People come to Wimbledon to watch tennis."
However, despite the strong support for doubles at Wimbledon, the ATP Tour's proposals threaten to undermine the sport's growth. "I feel strongly that doubles can play a strong part in that and can help the ATP Tour grow the game," Patten said. "I think that’s what we should be focused on. No more in-fighting. It doesn’t help anyone."
The Impact of ATP's Proposals
The ATP's plans to cut prize money and reduce doubles draws have been widely criticized. In Patten's view, these proposals could have a detrimental effect on the sport's growth, particularly for players from less privileged backgrounds. "I’ve been lucky enough to grow up in a fairly middle class household," he said. "Taking away doubles isn’t going to help the poorer kids or the kids who are far away from tennis centers or the kids who can only play twice a week."
A Call for Change
Patten's call for change extends beyond the ATP Tour's proposals. He believes that the organization needs a cultural shift, moving away from a mindset that sees doubles as a pain in the a– and towards a growth mindset. "I think if you look at, for example, the ATP Tour’s Instagram page on semi-final day, there was no men’s singles matches that day, but there were no posts about doubles," he said. "I don’t see why that is."
The Future of Doubles
Patten is optimistic that change is possible, but it will require a concerted effort. "I’m optimistic that we will be able to change it," he said. "But I feel optimistic that we will be able to change it."
A Historical Perspective
Patten's success at Wimbledon also serves as a reminder of the rich history of British doubles players. As the first British player to win multiple titles in the Wimbledon men’s doubles event since Randolph Lycett, he carries the weight of tradition on his shoulders. "It’s pretty difficult these days to be a British doubles player and do something for the first time," he said. "We have such a strong group of players."
Conclusion: A Call to Action
Patten's call for change is a call to action for the entire tennis community. As he said, "If you were in charge of tennis, what is the first rule you would change?" His words serve as a reminder that the future of doubles is in the hands of those who care deeply about the sport and its players. From my perspective, the ATP Tour must listen to the voices of players like Patten and make the necessary changes to ensure the continued growth and success of doubles in tennis.
