Defending men's doubles champion Henry Patten has been issued the largest fine of the Wimbledon Championships for verbal abuse, leading to a heated dispute and an ongoing appeal. Patten, who clinched the title last year with Finnish partner Harri Heliovaara, was fined over £9,000 following an incident at an off-site practice court before the tournament commenced.

On Monday, the All England Club released a list of fines from the first week of the Championships. Patten, 29, expressed his dissatisfaction, citing "inaccuracies and procedural failures" in the investigation process. He is "disappointed" that the details were made public while his appeal is still in progress.

"At this stage, I will merely say that I do not believe that there has been a full or proper investigation, nor has Wimbledon acted reasonably or fairly with due process," Patten stated. He added, "I am disappointed that as the defending men's doubles champion, I am having to address this matter at this point rather than concentrating on playing tennis."

The All England Club declined to comment, stating it "wouldn't be appropriate" as the matter is "in the hands of the Grand Slam supervisors." Despite the controversy, Patten and Heliovaara have advanced to the quarter-finals at Wimbledon after their third-round opponents withdrew.

This incident highlights the intense pressures and scrutiny faced by athletes at major tournaments, underscoring the importance of fair play and sportsmanship in professional tennis.