With his beautiful volleying and ultra-competitive brand of tennis, Pat Cash has always been a crowd-thriller. His reputation was sealed in 1987 when he clambered into the Centre Court stands, stepping gingerly over the commentary box roof, to reach the players’ box and celebrate becoming Wimbledon champion with his family, friends and coach.

“I remember thinking, ‘What in hell is he doing?” said Darren Cahill, who had practised with Cash before the final against world No.1 Ivan Lendl. “But it was great… spontaneous and emotional… very similar to the way Cashy has always lived his life.”

The climb - or should it be The Climb - was the crowning moment of the Australian’s career though he was only 22. Subsequently it became a Wimbledon tradition fully meriting capital letters as in The Queue. And the player with the rock ’n ’roll vibe in the black-and-white headband who made it a first would forever be a sentimental favourite at the All England Club.

Five injury-plagued years after lifting the trophy on Centre Court, Cash was drawn against John McEnroe in the second round of the 1992 Championships. The match was significant for being the only time that two singles champions had met at such an early stage of the tournament. Both were unseeded.

Billed as the battle between two rivals no longer in their heyday, their encounter did not disappoint. The 1987 champion’s wondrous net control and power was still very much in evidence; the 1981, 1983 and 1984 champion could still electrify with his instinctive touch play. It was a classic showcase of skill and, ultimately, the will to win.

Twice Cash led by a set, only for McEnroe to dig to the depths of his motivational resources in what would be his final singles campaign at Wimbledon. According to the Wimbledon Annual’s report there was “no way that he was going to bow out to a rival he had beaten on his way to the 1984 title, and whom he had described as ‘still one of the best grass court players in the world’.”

McEnroe would triumph 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-2, but not before Cash had forced him to leave everything on the court. “Anguish, relief, joy, despair and disgust – every emotion was bared.”

You learn a lot about a player over five-set matches, and Cash’s contests often went the distance. His tenacious commitment to success at Wimbledon ticks every box. In 1982, he won the junior title, fighting hard to defeat Henrik Sundstrom in the final, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3.

In the men’s singles, he reached the last 16 and beyond on six occasions (including quarter-finals in 1986 and 1988, semi-finals in 1984 and, of course, leaving as champion in 1987). In 1984 and 1985, he also reached the men’s doubles final, finishing runner-up on each occasion. The first, partnering fellow Aussie Paul McNamee, was a typically entertaining nail-biter against his nemesis McEnroe and Peter Fleming, which was reflected in the score 2-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-3, 3-6.

Love what you do and do what you love (Achilles tendon, ankle, knee and back permitting) seemed to be Cash’s mantra. Nothing proved that more poignantly than when he accepted a wild card for the 1995 Championships, but was forced to retire early in his first round match against Dick Norman with an ankle injury.

In 1997, he became only the second champion after Neale Fraser in 1974 to play in the qualifying competition. He battled through three rounds, each a tough three-setter, but was beaten by Byron Black in a tight four-set match in the first round of the main draw.

From his four Senior Invitational doubles titles with fellow Australian Mark Woodforde in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 to his various media roles as analyst around the Grounds, Pat Cash, climber and battler supreme, is part of the Wimbledon family.

Despite the absence of a Championships this year, there are still plenty of ways you can get into the Wimbledon spirit…

#WimbledonRecreated

Help us recreate Wimbledon from home by sending us your favourite traditions and moments on social media using the hashtag #WimbledonRecreated - and look no further than this if you’re in need of inspiration...

Play The Championships

Now’s your chance to play The Championships with our interactive game - take on seven rounds of retro tennis action and battle to become a Wimbledon champion, with prizes on offer for the top scores.

A Wish from Wimbledon

If we could grant you one wish, what would it be? Let us know here, and it might just come true!