Wimbledon Champion Pat Cash pays a visit to SVG

May 21st, 2009, was a very special and memorable day for several youngsters and some adults here is SVG, who were lucky enough to Cash in on meeting and playing with a Wimbledon Champion.{{more}}

Australian Pat Cash, who was in St. Vincent on a business trip, took time off to visit the National Lotteries Tennis Facility at Richmond Hill, where he met and played with a group of about 20 youth tennis players, most of whom knew someone important was coming to visit, but did not know who until Cash and his delegation arrived just after midday.

After introductions and a brief chat, following his arrival, Cash took to the court wearing his trademark checker headband , and spent over an hour coaching the youngsters, clearly enjoying his session with them. Following this, he took time out to autograph tennis balls, headbands, his postcards which he distributed to the youngsters, and other personal items from the children.

Pat Cash first came to the tennis world’s attention as a junior player in the early 1980’s. He was ranked the top junior player in the world in 1981, and in 1982 he won the junior titles at both Wimbledon and the US Open. He turned professional in 1982 and won his first top level single that year in Melbourne. In 1983 Cash became the youngest player to play in a Davis Cup final. Cash is one of only three players to have won both the junior and senior titles at Wimbledon. Stefan Edberg and Roger Federer are the other two.

The highlight of his career came at Wimbledon in 1987 when he defeated the then World No. 1, Ivan Lendl, in the final to become the Wimbledon Champion. He is a five times Grand Slam Finalist, winner of the Davis Cup twice, and a respected world-wide television commentator.

The Chairman of the NLA SVG Murray Bullock, Director Allison Thomas, Samantha Goodluck and Kebajah King, coaches at the NLA Tennis Facility, were on hand to greet Cash. Also present were President of the SVG Tennis Association Anthony Mc Kenzie, some parents, P.E. Teacher Rawlson Morgan from the Grammar School, and passers-by. Cash’s team included his Manager, video and camera crew and representative of Harlequin Hotels & Resorts/Buccament Bay Resorts Janet Franke.

Cash, who lives in England, was in SVG on business, visiting the Buccament Bay Resorts, where he is expected to establish a tennis academy. The Buccament Bay Resorts was instrumental in arranging Mr. Cash’s visit to the NLA’s facility. The NLA expressed gratitude to Buccament Bay Resorts and Cash for the visit, which left an indelible mark in the minds of our young tennis players.