Pat Cash
After winning the junior titles at both Wimbledon and the US Open in 1982, Pat turned professional later that year and went on to win his first top-level singles title in Melbourne.
His first great success came in 1983, when he became the youngest player to play in a Davis Cup final. He won the decisive singles rubber against Joakim Nyström as Australia defeated Sweden 3–2 to claim the cup. In 1986, he helped Australia regain the Davis Cup with a 3–2 victory over Sweden. Cash again won the decisive singles rubber, recovering from two sets down against Mikael Pernfors.
The crowning moment of Cash's career came at Wimbledon in 1987, when, having already beaten Mats Wilander and Jimmy Connors, Cash defeated the World No. 1, Ivan Lendl in the final. Cash celebrated the victory by climbing into the stands and up to the player's box where his family, girlfriend, and coach, Ian Barclay were waiting. His most heart-breaking loss came a year later in the final of the Australian Open in which he lost to Mats Wilander in the fifth set.
Cash continued to play on the circuit on-and-off through the mid-1990s, but a series of injuries to his Achilles tendon, knees, and back prevented him from recapturing his best form. He won his last top-level singles title in 1990 in Hong Kong, and his last doubles title in 1996 at Pinehurst with Pat Rafter.
Since his retirement from the tour, Cash has resided mainly in London. He has coached top players Greg Rusedski and Mark Philippoussis, and opened a tennis academy on the Gold Coast of Australia. He has also become a popular and respected commentator for the BBC.
