Keynote Speaker

Pat Cash

Former Wimbledon Champion

The Australian known as much for his trademark black and white headband as his tough serve and volley game style.

After being ranked the number 1 junior in the world in the early 80’s Pat turned pro in 1982 and aged just 17 duly won his fist ATP title on home soil in Melbourne.

5 years later in the same city Pat was to make his first Grand Slam singles final, on the grass courts of Kooyong, only to be denied in a 5 set thriller by Stefan Edberg.

His hopes of a major triumph were only on hold though. A run at Wimbledon in 1987 that saw him beat Mats Wilander and Jimmy Connors ended with victory over the then world number 1 Ivan Lendl in the final, the celebration that followed starting the famous tradition of climbing into players box on Centre court.

In total Pat won 7 career singles titles and two Davis Cups and peaked at a career high number 4 in the world. He remains one of only 4 players to win both the Boys and Men’s Singles title at Wimbledon.

Pat is still a regular on the Champions Tour, anchors CNN’s monthly TV tennis show ‘Open Court’ and writes for the Sunday Times.