Wimbledon men’s doubles champion Julian Cash had a surprising past role: he once played Novak Djokovic in a TV advertisement due to his uncanny resemblance to the tennis superstar.
From Ad Set to Grand Slam Court
Before his recent triumph at Wimbledon, Julian Cash had a unique brush with fame as a teenager. About ten years ago, he was cast as Novak Djokovic for an advertisement promoting the Australia and New Zealand Bank (ANZ).
The opportunity arose when a friend, working for an agency, was asked to find someone who played high-level tennis and looked a bit like Djokovic. Cash fit the bill perfectly.
Reflecting on the experience, Cash admitted to the Argus newspaper that watching the old advert now makes it “pretty obvious” it’s him, despite the intention for him to be a convincing double from a distance. Even BBC presenter Clare Balding recently commented on the striking similarity, suggesting it could be a “repertoire” he revisits.
Wimbledon Doubles Champions
Fast forward to today, and Julian Cash, alongside his partner Lloyd Glasspool, has made history. They became the first all-British pair to win the men’s doubles title at Wimbledon since 1936, a monumental achievement for British tennis.
Their victory earned them a hefty prize of £680,000. Glasspool revealed that Cash’s eyes are set on a new motorbike with his share of the winnings. Cash confirmed his interest, noting he’s used his current bike for navigating traffic to tournaments like Queen’s and Eastbourne, and it’s served him well.
The duo had ambitious goals for the year. Cash shared that their targets were to qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin and to win a Grand Slam. Achieving the latter at Wimbledon, on home soil, held immense significance for them.
A Historic Victory and the Road Ahead
In a thrilling final, the fifth-seeded British pair defeated the Australian-Dutch team of Rinky Hijikata and David Pel in straight sets, 6-2, 7-6 (3), in just 83 minutes. Despite the magnitude of their win, Cash admitted it hadn’t fully sunk in yet, feeling as though they still had another match to play.
While other British players like Jonny Marray, Neal Skupski, and Henry Patten have seen success in men’s doubles recently, it has often been with foreign partners. Cash emphasized the unique nature of their all-British victory, wishing for more recognition for doubles tennis.
He expressed a desire for more media attention on the doubles circuit, believing that the sport has many engaging personalities that audiences would enjoy. For now, Cash and Glasspool plan to continue focusing on their game and pushing for further success.
- Wimbledon doubles winner Julian Cash once acted as Novak Djokovic’s body double in an ANZ Bank advertisement.
- Cash and partner Lloyd Glasspool are the first all-British pair to win the Wimbledon men’s doubles title since 1936.
- Cash plans to use part of his £680,000 prize money to buy a new motorbike.
- He advocates for greater media coverage and appreciation for doubles tennis.
This historic victory marks a significant moment for British tennis, showcasing the talent and potential within the nation’s doubles ranks.
