Grand slams no longer just for the top two, says Cash
FORMER Wimbledon champion Pat Cash believes Juan Martin del Potro’s shock US Open success is a sign that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s grand slam stranglehold is slipping.
Before this year’s visit to Flushing Meadows, Federer and Nadal had enjoyed a near monopoly at the slams, winning 17 of the previous 18 events.
But 20-year-old Del Potro beat them both on his way to landing his first major title earlier this week, and Cash says he is just one of a host of players ready to challenge the old order. “I think Nadal and Federer are still the best but this guy Del Potro is only going to get better,” Cash told City PM “He’s going to be around for a while and as long as he doesn’t get injured he’s going to be a threat.
“And I think that’s a good thing for tennis. It’s been a one or two-man show for too long. But with Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, this guy and maybe Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, there is going to be real interest.
“It’s a real opportunity for other players to get grand slams. Other players are catching up.”
Those players are all set to clash at the end-of-season Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at London’s O2 in November, for which Cash is an ambassador.
Home interest will be focused on British No1 Murray, who suffered a disappointing fourth-round exit at the US Open.
The Scottish world No3 is now the only player in the top six still searching for a maiden grand slam title – not that Cash thinks it will bother him.
“I don’t think he really cares, as long as he keeps improving,” said the Australian, who now works as a pundit.
“And I think he will win grand slam. I’d be surprised if he didn’t get to a grand slam final next year.”