Reigning Wimbledon champions Henry Patten and his Finnish partner Harri Heliovaara are set to face third seeds Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in the Australian Open men’s doubles final on Saturday. The match, scheduled at the Rod Laver Arena, follows the women’s singles final between Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys and is expected to start at 22:00 local time (11:00 GMT).
“It’s going to be an interesting one. I’m not sure I’ve ever played a match starting this late,” Patten told BBC Essex. “I hope I don’t wake up too early, buzzing already. There’s going to be a lot of downtime and anxious waiting, but we’ve handled it before and hopefully, it’ll all go to plan.”
Patten and Heliovaara, who began their partnership only nine months ago, earned their spot in the final by defeating Germany’s Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz in a nail-biting 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (10-7) semi-final victory. The 28-year-old from Manningtree, Essex, also reached the mixed doubles semi-finals alongside Olivia Williams, which means his practice time ahead of Saturday’s final will be kept minimal.
“Our semi-final on Thursday was a long and demanding match, both physically and mentally. We’ve played a lot of tennis recently, so I don’t feel the need to do too much more,” Patten said. “We’ve got plenty of free time, so I’ll probably watch some movies, listen to music, play chess, read, and focus on recovery.”
Wimbledon Triumph and Rapid Rise
Patten and Heliovaara claimed their first title as a pair in Marrakech. Their unseeded Wimbledon victory last summer, a dramatic 6-7 (7-9), 7-6 (10-8), 7-6 (11-9) triumph over Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson, marked a turning point in their careers.
“It feels like Wimbledon was just yesterday. That win was massive for me and really boosted our rankings,” Patten reflected. “To be in another Grand Slam final within six months is a little scary, but I’m staying focused on the match. I don’t think anyone expected this to happen so quickly.”
Patten acknowledged the challenges of breaking into professional tennis. “The early years are brutal. There’s no money, and you’re traveling to crazy places. It’s been a tough journey, but moments like these make it worthwhile.”
A Unique Partnership
Building a successful doubles team takes time, and Patten admitted there was an initial “awkward stage” in his partnership with Heliovaara.
“You’ve got to be mindful of how much time you spend together. Fortunately, we get along well on and off the court, which isn’t always the case in doubles,” he said. “We’re both laid-back with a dry sense of humor. It’s normal for me as a Brit, but it’s a unique quality in Harri as a Finn.”
Their contrasting styles on the court complement each other. “Harri’s celebrations are wild; the cameras always cut to him. I’m much calmer on court, but it works for us,” Patten added.
As the duo prepares for their second Grand Slam final in six months, they aim to cap their remarkable journey with another title.
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