"We should be growing the support instead of taking opportunities away" - British doubles talent lambasts proposed ATP doubles changes following Wimbledon success

Henry Patten has brought British success to Wimbledon following his men's doubles title triumph alongside teammate Harri Heliovaara after a 7-6(4), 7-6(3) win over Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic. The topic on the tip of the Brit was the proposed ATP doubles changes that have looming over the heads of these players, making a speech on Centre Court clapping back at these alterations.

The number one seeds stayed to script, winning a third Grand Slam title together with this their second at SW19 following their triumph back in 2024. The joint world number one's came off the bat of losing in the final of Roland Garros, and were very much determined to get back to winning ways in Patten's home event.

Forget breaks of serve, there were not even any break points throughout the match. 24 holds of serve led to a brace of tiebreaks, in which Patten and Heliovaara would prevail in, both in a convincing manner.

Following the match, the pair of them were in awe of each other and of what they had to achieve. "It is doubles, it is a team sport and now we have a team of trophies at home," Heliovaara began. "It is unbelievable. These are the moments you have always dreamt of, playing and winning on Wimbledon Centre Court, but to do it twice - I have to thank Henry as well. The best partner in the world."

Patten was in fill praise of his teammate. "I owe Harri my career really. When I started, he took a chance on me, and it turned out to be the best decision he ever made I think," he commented.

"Like Harri said, it is our whole team who travel with us, week in and week out, our families, our friends, everyone who supports us from afar. And also my fiancee, who couldn't be here today, she is worth a special mention. She has a proper job so she can't be here today. It is surreal. When we won the first time, we didn't know if we would have chance to do it again, and we feel so lucky to be here again."

The topic soon turned to those changes the ATP had threatened to implement. The changes would be financially based with the ratio of prize money between singles and doubles going from 80:20 to 90:10. As well as that, the fields would be drastically shortened. This includes the Masters 1000 doubles field from 32 to 16 pairs and the 500 and 250 events from 16 to eight.

The men's doubles players have rallied against these proposed changes, speaking up against them while in unison posting a message on social media sharing their dismay over what could be on the horizon.

However, on the biggest stage of them all Patten had his say. "It would be remiss of me here not to mention that the ATP Tour submitted proposals to cut some of the doubles, and I'm a strong believer we are here to grow the game," he said.

"This is a fantastic example of the joy that doubles can bring. The crowd - I hope you enjoyed it. I believe we should be growing opportunities in tennis for kids, whether they are doubles players, singles players, British, Finnish, from El Salvador or Croatia, wherever they are from, we should be growing the support instead of taking opportunities away. Thank you to Wimbledon for giving this platform to us for the two weeks, you are the best tournament in the world."

It is yet to be seen whether these changes are brought in. Said to be aimed to begin from 2028 onwards, the doubles players will be hoping that the ATP change their mind, and they come to a solution and agreement that pleases both parties.