Max Purcell is aiming to become the first Australian in the Open era to claim a Wimbledon men’s doubles title with two different compatriots.
London, Great Britain, 13 July 2024 | Leigh Rogers
Max Purcell has the chance to create Open era history at Wimbledon 2024.
After claiming the Wimbledon men’s doubles title in 2022 alongside Matt Ebden, the 26-year-old from Sydney is now one win away from replicating this success alongside Jordan Thompson this year.
Todd Woodbridge is the only other Australian to win a prestigious Wimbledon men’s doubles title with two different partners in the Open era, triumphing six-times with compatriot Mark Woodforde and three times with Swede Jonas Bjorkman across his record-breaking career.
If Purcell manages to triumph with Thompson, he will become the first Australian man to win a Wimbledon doubles title alongside two different compatriots.
“It’s nice to play with an Australian,” Purcell said, noting how the success helps boost the nation’s chances of securing the Davis Cup, which is one of his major career goals.
The Davis Cup competition is where the 26-year-old Purcell and 30-year-old Thompson first teamed up in 2022, prompting them to begin playing together more regularly.
> READ: Thompson’s chance to achieve 45-year first at Wimbledon 2024
Contesting their sixth Grand Slam as a team, this marks the first time they have progressed beyond the third round.
They have enjoyed considerable success at ATP Tour level, scooping four titles together in the past two years. This includes three so far in 2024, helping them build an impressive season record of 26 wins from their 30 matches together.
The 15th seeds have been in particularly impressive form this past fortnight, conceding only a single set and knocking out two seeded teams to reach the final.
“When we’re on, we’re really tough to beat,” Purcell said.
> READ: Aussie duo beat top seeds to reach doubles final at Wimbledon 2024
Purcell is only the 13th Australian to progress to multiple Wimbledon men’s doubles final in the Open era and only one of three to achieve this feat in the past 30 years, joining the esteemed Woodies (Woodbridge and Woodforde).
| Wimbledon men’s doubles Australians to reach multiple finals in Open era |
|
| Player | Finals |
| John Newcombe | 1968, 1969, 1970, 1974 |
| Tony Roche | 1968, 1969, 1970, 1974 |
| Ken Rosewall | 1968, 1970 |
| Fred Stolle | 1968, 1970 |
| Ross Case | 1976, 1977 |
| Geoff Masters | 1976, 1977 |
| Peter McNamara | 1980, 1982 |
| Paul McNamee | 1980, 1982, 1984 |
| Pat Cash | 1984, 1985 |
| John Fitzgerald | 1985, 1988, 1989, 1991 |
| Todd Woodbridge | 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 |
| Mark Woodforde | 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000 |
| Max Purcell | 2022, 2024 |
“It’s a huge deal,” Purcell said of advancing to another Wimbledon doubles final.
“Jordan and I started playing start of last year and this year we really wanted to win a Slam together.”
The unseeded combination of Finland’s Harri Heliovaara and Brit Henry Patten now stand in world No.31 Purcell and world No.32 Thompson’s way of winning a first major title together.
World No.37 Heliovaara and world No.42 Patten have been on a giant-killing run of their own at the All England Club this year, eliminating three seeded teams to progress to their first Grand Slam final.
“Man, we just want it bad you know,” Purcell said. “And this is the one to win. (I know) how good it felt last time and I really want to do it with Thommo.”
The men’s doubles final will be played on Saturday, following the women’s singles final.
Wimbledon is broadcast live in Australia on the Nine Network (with coverage beginning at 10.30pm AEST) and Stan Sport.
Aussies in action – Wimbledon
COMING UP
Men’s doubles, final
[15] Max Purcell (AUS)/Jordan Thompson (AUS) v Harri Heliovaara (FIN)/Henry Patten (GBR), Centre Court, second match
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