Tennis player Harri Heliövaara named Finland's athlete of the year

The Helsinki native won the doubles title at the Australian Open last year alongside his British playing partner Henry Patten, the highlight of a very successful year on the court for the Finn.

Harri Heliovaara celebrates winning the Men's Doubles final match at the Australian Open in January 2025. Image: EPA-EFE

Yle News

16.1. 10:27

Tennis player Harri Heliövaara has been voted Finland's Athlete of the Year for 2025.

The Helsinki native narrowly beat two former winners — basketball star Lauri Markkanen and ice hockey player Aleksander Barkov — in the vote by the Finnish Association of Sports Journalists.

"It’s an incredible honour. It really is something unique. Not just in tennis, but across sports. Pride is definitely the first thing that comes to mind from this," Heliövaara told the gala event on Thursday evening via a video call from Adelaide, Australia.

Heliövaara won the doubles title at the Australian Open last year alongside his British playing partner Henry Patten, the highlight of a very successful year on the court for the Finn, who climbed to number three in the world rankings for doubles tennis.

He also became the first tennis player to ever win Finland's athlete of the year award.

The Association of Sports Journalists has awarded the title of Athlete of the Year since 1947, usually voting from a shortlist of 10 names.