Wimbledon: Cash and Glasspool net first all-British men’s doubles title in 89 years

Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool have etched their names into Wimbledon history, becoming the first all-British pair to win the men’s doubles title since Pat Hughes and Raymond Tuckey in 1936.

In a thrilling final on Centre Court, the fifth seeds defeated the Australian-Dutch duo of Rinky Hijikata and David Pel 6-2, 7-6 (3) in 83 minutes. “It still feels like we have got a match tomorrow,” said Cash. “We’ve been playing so well recently, winning so many matches. It’s so special but it hasn’t sunk in yet.”

Cash and Glasspool secured an early break after a poor service game from Pel and from there found their rhythm quickly in the opening set. In the second, Hijikata and Pel fended off a break point early on and fought hard to break, but Cash and Glasspool held firm, taking a 4-2 lead as they edged closer to the title.

View image in fullscreen Julian Cash celebrates as he and Lloyd Glasspool beat Rinky Hijikata and David Pel to win the men’s doubles. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

With their impressive run as tournament alternates and having survived match points in previous rounds, Hijikata and Pel levelled the set at 4-4 with a quick volley from Pel at the net. Down 6-5, the Britons forced a tie-break and Cash sealed the championship point with a smash in an open court.

“I was just trying to stay in the moment,” said Glasspool. “You really have to be strong in the tough moments. And, of course, the execution of the shots was really important.”

Despite the loss Pel and Hijikata were in good spirits. “We hadn’t even met before the tournament,” said Pel. “It was our first time speaking on the first day of the tournament. It’s amazing.”

“It’s been a crazy ride,” said Hijikata. “It’s been so much fun playing with David. It’s a dream come true to be playing on Centre Court.”

For Cash and Glasspool, this is their first grand slam title, individually or as a team. Their win makes them the 13th all-British pairing to win the Wimbledon men’s doubles and the 15th all-British team to win a grand slam men’s doubles title. The last all-British duo to reach the men’s doubles final here was Mike Davies and Bobby Wilson in 1960.

View image in fullscreen Charles Hare (second left) and Frank Wilde (left) congratulate Pat Hughes (right) and Raymond Tuckey (second right) on their Wimbledon doubles final victory in 1936. Photograph: Hudson/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

Other British players such as Jonny Marray, Neal Skupski and Henry Patten have tasted success in the men’s doubles in recent years. Their victories were all achieved alongside foreign partners.

“The fact so many [Britons] do well almost takes away from what’s being achieved in doubles,” said Cash. “There has been a British winner here the past few years so it almost looks normal. I wish there was more press on doubles tennis. There is a lot of personalities out there that people would love. But all we can do is keep our heads down and play as best we can.”

Their Wimbledon success caps an incredible summer. After titles at Queen’s Club and Eastbourne, Cash and Glasspool arrived at Wimbledon with significant momentum, extending their winning streak on grass to 14 matches.

Britain’s good fortunes did not transfer to the men’s wheelchair doubles title as Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid failed to defend their title. They were beaten by Martín de la Puente and Ruben Spaargaren 7-6 (1), 7-5 to miss out on their 24th slam title as a duo.

De la Puente, from Spain, and Spaargaren, from the Netherlands, broke late in the first set but the British pair broke back immediately to take it to a tie-break. However, De la Puente and Spaargaren won six points in a row to take the first set. The top seeds started the second set strongly but errors crept into their game as De la Puente and Spaargaren broke again to win their first Wimbledon title.

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