British Success at Wimbledon Men’s Doubles and Calls Against ATP Proposal

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 12, 2026

Henry Patten and Harri Heliövaara won their second Wimbledon men’s doubles title in three years, defeating Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic in straight sets, while British wheelchair duo Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid claimed their seventh men’s wheelchair doubles crown. Patten criticized a proposed ATP plan to reduce doubles draws and prize money from 2028, warning it could harm the sport's diversity and growth as the tennis community debates the future balance between singles and doubles competition.

British success at Wimbledon continued as Henry Patten and his Finnish partner Harri Heliövaara claimed their second men’s doubles title in three years on Centre Court. The pair, currently ranked world No. 1 in doubles, defeated Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador and Croatia’s Mate Pavic in straight sets, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-3). This victory follows their first Wimbledon title in 2024 and a win at the 2025 Australian Open. Having recently lost the French Open final in June, Patten and Heliövaara are now the first men’s doubles team to win multiple Wimbledon titles since the Bryan brothers in 2011. Patten’s win marks a continuation of British presence in men’s doubles, with a British player featuring on every winning doubles team at Wimbledon since 2023.

In the wheelchair doubles competition, British pair Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid secured their seventh Wimbledon men’s wheelchair doubles title as a partnership. The duo overcame a first-set loss to defeat Argentina’s Gustavo Fernández and Japan’s Tokito Oda 2-6, 6-1, 6-2. Hewett is also set to compete against top seed Oda in the upcoming men’s wheelchair singles final.

Following his victory, Patten addressed a recent proposal by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) to reduce the size of doubles draws and decrease prize money for doubles events starting in 2028. The suggestion, which was discussed at an ATP Player Council meeting the week prior to Wimbledon, aims to prioritize singles competition. Patten criticized the plan, emphasizing the importance of growing all formats of the game. He expressed concern that cutting doubles opportunities could diminish the sport’s appeal, particularly as doubles play brings a different style and enjoyment for players and fans alike. “We should be growing the sport instead of taking opportunities away,” Patten said, highlighting doubles’ role in enhancing tennis.

The proposal has sparked debate within the tennis community, with some arguing that reducing doubles draws could help concentrate resources on singles and streamline tournament schedules. However, others, including Patten, warn that such changes might undermine the development of doubles specialists and diminish the diversity of the sport.

The 2026 Wimbledon Championships thus showcased both British excellence in doubles and ongoing discussions about the future structure of professional tennis, reflecting broader tensions between maintaining tradition and adapting to evolving priorities in the sport.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.