My haven, Pat Cash: The Wimbledon champion turned tennis pundit, 56, in the kitchen-diner of his west London flat
- Pat Cash shares items of significance in the kitchen-diner of his west London flat
- Tennis pundit, 56, treasures guitar given to him by Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath
- Also cherishes a celebratory photograph taken at the 1987 Wimbledon final
Pat Cash, 56, (pictured) shared items of personal significance in the kitchen-diner of his west London flat
1 GUITAR ACE
There was always a lot of music in our house. My father sang, one aunt was a concert pianist, another was an opera singer, and my sister still is. I started playing guitar when I was 17 – this one was kindly given to me by Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath.
I can play competently, and have played with Roger Daltrey and the guys from Iron Maiden and Thin Lizzy. I’m definitely a frustrated rock star but tennis has probably been better for my wellbeing!
2 BRITT ART
I have four children. Two of them, Daniel, 35, and Mia, 33, are by artist Anne-Britt Kristiansen. Two years ago she had an exhibition, which included this picture of Mia and her first two kids, and I happily bought it.
I also have 26-year-old twins by my ex-wife Emily, and for six years I’ve been in a relationship with Catherine Wilson who runs skincare firm Oliviere Wilson.
3 MY RELIGION
Although I’ve lived in London since 1985, I was born and raised in Melbourne and return there once a year.
This is the jersey of the most successful Aussie Rules football club of my generation, Hawthorn – known as The Hawks – who I’ve supported since childhood because my dad played for them.
Pat treasures a bottle of wine (pictured) gifted by heavy metal band Iron Maiden
As a kid I always wore their jersey, even to church! I played Aussie Rules myself until I was 15 when tennis took over, but it’s still my favourite sport, even above tennis.
4 HITTING THE HEIGHTS
The night before the 1987 Wimbledon final I said to myself, ‘If I win, I’ll climb through the stands to share my success with my loved ones and team.’ I didn’t tell anyone beforehand because I didn’t want to jinx it.
But after shaking Ivan Lendl’s hand at the end of the match, I made my way through the crowd and on top of the commentary box as shown in this photo. It felt so natural and I wondered why it hadn’t been done before. It’s happened many times since though – it’s the Pat Cash climb!
5 A DREAM FULFILLED
I first played tennis aged nine, and as a kid I dreamt of winning Wimbledon, the Australian Open (which I almost did) and helping my country win the Davis Cup (which I did twice). Here’s a racket and headband I used when I won the Wimbledon men’s singles in 1987, aged 22.
That changed my life and also meant I became a member of the All England Club, which is a great honour, and this is my member’s tie. Outside of The Championships, I socialise at the club and play on members’ days. When I’m there, I check my name’s still on the trophy and on the Champions board!
6 MUSIC FOR THE SOUL
I grew up listening to Australian rock band AC/DC, but during my tennis career I’d often also listen to the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden on my headphones, especially The Number Of The Beast album. They’re super-nice guys, and I’ve been mates with them for 36 years.
They gave me this bottle of wine as a gift. The barbecue out the back was a present from another English mate.
My speciality is ribeye steak with a marinating tip I stole from Jamie Oliver… only he and I know the secret. I’ll save it for my Pat Cash Cookbook, though that will never come out!
As told to Peter Robertson. Visit patcash.co.uk and olivierewilson.com
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