Pat Cash, tennis legend. How much do you know about him?

Pat Cash

The black-and-white checked headband, the cross earring, defeating Ivan Lendl at Wimbledon… Aussie tennis legend Pat Cash is undoubtedly one of the most distinguished players in the history of the sport. But how many of these facts are news to you?

1. He’s a trendsetter, but not just in fashion. He was the first player to climb into the stands of Wimbledon’s Centre Court when he defeated World Number 1 Ivan Lendl in 1987 at the age of 22. And his bold feat has been remembered and replicated by many winners on the famous grass court stage.
2. He would have been known as Brendan Cash, the name his parents had agreed on. But after his mother gave birth in the absence of his father, she handed him the birth certificate that confirmed his name as Patrick Cash.
3. He had his first child at the age of 21, which he describes as the happiest moment in his life. Now aged 27, his son, Daniel Cash, looks after his social media for him. He also had four children by the time he was 29 and became a doting grandfather at the age of 44.

   

   Pat Cash serves for Pune Marathas at the Champions Tennis League

4. If he wasn’t ripping backhand volleys across the court, we may have been marveling at Pat Cash, the rock guitarist. He says his prized possessions are three electric guitars gifted to him by renowned guitarists Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Glenn Tipton of Judas Priest and Mick Cocks of Rose Tattoo. And it’s no surprise that he even has the outfit, having once splurged around 2,000 GBP on a pair of Versace leather pants covered in metal studs.

   

   Pat Cash holds his coveted Wimbledon trophy.

5. That is not all that’s on his career list, as he also harboured the ambition of learning how to fly planes. And if all else happened to fail, did you know that you could consult him on Reiki healing, as he says he is a trained master in the field? Sounds like the perfect way to round up a grueling training session.
6. The nonconforming hobbies and career moves are to be expected, considering education did not compare with his passion for sports. He says he would run away from class in his younger days and his schools were too “academic”. If he were to ever return to those years, he would incorporate fitness training, athletic conditioning and nutrition into his regime.
7. So, who does the legend rate as an up and coming star of the game? “Technique and athleticism are the two most important things; if someone has both then they’ve got a good chance of becoming a great player,” he told GQ Magazine.

“Grigor Dimitrov is probably one of the most exciting up-and-coming players… A lot of people call him ‘Baby Federer’, which is a little harsh but true. Anyone who plays with the elegance of Federer is certainly one to watch.”

Originally published on the CTL website here.