Pat Cash

Pat Cash was an Australian tennis player who played professionally from 1982 to 2006. Cash achieved a career-best singles ranking of number four in the world in May 1988, and a doubles ranking of six in the world in August 1984. Cash was best remembered for winning Wimbledon in 1987 and his post-match celebration.

As a junior player Cash won the boys’ singles and doubles competition at Wimbledon in 1982, and the boys’ singles tournament at the US Open in the same year. Cash turned professional the same year, winning his first ATP titles in both singles and doubles tournaments in Australia. Cash was part of Australia’s team that won the Davis Cup in 1983 and 1986. He also competed at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics when tennis was a demonstration sport. Despite being the number two seed, Cash lost his first round match to Italy’s Paolo Canè.

Cash achieved success at Grand Slam tournaments. In 1984 and 1985 he reached the final of the doubles tournament at Wimbledon. As a singles player he reached the final of the Australian Open in 1987 and 1988. Arguably his greatest performance was winning the singles title at Wimbledon in 1987, beating world number one Ivan Lendl in straight sets. After winning the match Cash climbed the stands to celebrate with his family, beginning a tradition that other Grand Slam winners have done ever since. After his retirement Cash hosted a tennis show for CNN and worked as a commentator for the BBC. In 2005 he was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.