Harri Heliövaara has learned to recognize how to enter a flow state and enjoy high-stakes moments.
of men’s doubles at the 2023 DC Open. Photograph: CC BY-SA 4.0
Tennis player Harri Heliövaara, 36, was named Athlete of the Year at the Finnish Sports Gala in Veikkaus Arena (formerly Hartwall Arena and Helsinki Halli) on Thursday evening. He is the first tennis player in Finland to receive this honor.
“I’m almost in tears. It’s a great honor to be in this group. I never thought that I could achieve this as a tennis player and doubles player. This shows that I’ve made the right choices in life,” Heliövaara said via remote connection on the big screen hanging above the stage.
“I don’t know what else I want from life after my sports career, but this is definitely close to the top of what a tennis player can achieve in Finland.”
In 2025, Heliövaara won the Australian Open doubles with his British partner Henry Patten in January and the ATP Finals later that year. The pair rose to third in the world tennis rankings.
Heliövaara will again team up with Patten in the semifinals of the $250,000 ATP tournament just hours after receiving the award.
The Finn hopes to celebrate his selection over the weekend following a potential final.
Heliövaara’s remarkable career arc and ability to reinvent himself and succeed at the highest level have earned him widespread respect—including from Heliövaara himself.
“I’ve noticed that I have the ability to discover new sides to myself and play my best in the most challenging situations. I’ve learned to recognize how to get into a flow state and enjoy those moments when the stakes are really high,” he said in an interview with the national broadcaster YLE.
Heliövaara is focused on the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, stating in the interview that competing there is a major goal and key motivation to continue his career.
Finnish Sports Gala 2026 Award Winners
Athlete of the Year: Harri Heliövaara, tennis
Team of the Year: The Finnish men’s national basketball team
Coach of the Year: Lassi Tuovi, the Finnish men’s national basketball team
Young Athlete of the Year: Miikka Muurinen, basketball
Breakthrough of the Year: Suvi Minkkinen, biathlon
Most Exciting Sporting Moment: Suvi Minkkinen wins bronze at the Biathlon World Championships.
Role Model: Anni Kärävä, freestyle skiing
Behind the Scenes: Heikki Rusko; Rusko, 82, has had a long and varied career both as a sports scientist and as an applied researcher.
Lifetime Achievement: Jouko Purontakanen; Purontakanen, 77, has served as the secretary general of the Finnish Olympic Committee, among other positions.
Courage Award: Krista Tervo and Silja Kosonen, athletics, hammer throwing; “If we’re talking about our friendship, courage means daring to support the other person, even if things have gone badly for you and well for the other,” Krista Tervo said in an interview.
Finland’s Most Active Municipality: City of Sotkamo
Finland’s Most Active Workplace: Luhta Sportswear Company
Sports Club of the Year: Aisti Sport
Sports Journalist of the Year: Juha Kanerva
Finnish Sports Hall of Fame: Esko Rechardt (sailor, Olympic champion (1980); Heli Rantanen (Finnish track and field athlete who competed in the javelin throw, Olympic gold medalist in 1996); Janne Ahonen (ski jumper, two-time world champion in individual ski jumping (1997, 2005), among other achievements)
