20 January 2024 , 08:00
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John McEnroe and Pat Cash are together again at the Australian Open six months after the American got made fun of by his BBC colleague during coverage of the Wimbledon final.
McEnroe, 64, is a staple of tennis coverage at SW19, splitting his time between the BBC and US broadcaster ESPN. But during last year's tournament, Cash and McEnroe did not cross paths until the men's singles final as Carlos Alcaraz met Novak Djokovic on Centre Court.
Before that classic on-court clash, the commentators finally came across each other during the BBC's pre-match coverage. Appearing on television together for the first time all fortnight, they embraced before McEnroe exchanged pleasantries.
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"Cashy, it's great to see you in person, I've watched you on TV, but it is great to see you guys,” he exclaimed. Cash replied: “Likewise, I've watched you on TV... until I can get to the off button."
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McEnroe took the jibe well, laughing loudly, before responding: “Some things never change.” BBC presenter Clare Balding also stifled a chuckle before welcoming McEnroe herself. "It's nice that you're here, John,” she said.
Cash and McEnroe were on-court rivals throughout the '80s and early '90s. They met for the first time in 1984 at Wimbledon during the semi-finals, with the Australian losing out to the reigning champion in straight sets 6-3, 7-6, 6-4. McEnroe went on to defend his crown in the final against fellow compatriot Jimmy Connors for his third and ultimately final Wimbledon triumph.
Cash did not pass up the opportunity to jibe McEnroeCash and McEnroe also faced off in that year's doubles final, which the American again entered as the reigning champion alongside his countryman Peter Fleming. This time, it was a much more competitive match, going five sets before the holders retained their title 6–2, 5–7, 6–2, 3–6, 6–3.
They met again - one-on-one this time - merely two months later, during the Davis Cup semi-finals. But, as before, the American won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1, to reach the final, where the US lost to Sweden. Two years on, they met for the third time, again in Britain, but indoors at Wembley Arena for the Benson & Hedges Championships.
In the third-round match, Cash prevailed 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, finally besting McEnroe. Another six years later, they faced one another again for the fourth and final time. At his last Wimbledon in 1992, McEnroe and Cash met in the second round.
Despite losing the first and third sets, the American rallied to clinch the fourth and fifth and earned a hard-fought 6-7, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 victory. McEnroe reached the semi-finals that year, losing there in straight sets to the eventual champion Andre Agassi.
Three decades later, the American and Australian now do their sparring verbally off the court rather than with a racquet. In Melbourne, McEnroe is again working for ESPN. Meanwhile, Cash is Down Under with the host broadcaster Nine Network.