Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool have become the first all-British pair to win the Wimbledon men’s doubles title since 1936, securing a 6-2, 7-6 (7-3) victory over the unseeded duo of Australia’s Rinky Hijikata and David Pel of the Netherlands.
The win for Cash and Glasspool, achieved in front of a jubilant Centre Court crowd, ended a remarkable and unexpected run for Hijikata and Pel. The pair entered the tournament as alternates after another team’s withdrawal and had never met before the event began.
“We didn’t even meet before the tournament,” Pel revealed post-match. “It was our first time speaking on the day the tournament started.”
Their path to the final was dramatic, requiring them to save match points in the first and second rounds, as well as in their semi-final match.
In the final, the British pair asserted their dominance early, capitalising on a weak service game from Pel to secure a crucial break. They swiftly closed out the first set and maintained their composure in a tighter second, ultimately sealing the championship in a comfortable tiebreak after one hour and 22 minutes.
Despite the defeat, Hijikata, the 2023 Australian Open doubles champion, described the experience as a “dream come true” and a “crazy ride.”
“It’s been so much fun playing with David,” Hijikata said. “He’s brought such a great energy on the court… A bit shattered, but it was a lot of fun.”
Hijikata’s appearance continued a strong recent tradition for Australian men’s doubles at the All England Club, making him the fifth Australian to reach the championship match in the last 10 years.
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