Lloyd Glasspool becomes doubles World No 1 after dominant stretch with Julian Cash

Glasspool becomes doubles World No. 1 after dominant stretch with Cash

Learn how the world's top team first met

ATP Tour/Getty Images Lloyd Glasspool is the first new doubles World No. 1 this season. By Andrew Eichenholz

In recent weeks, Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool have been a dominant doubles force on the ATP Tour, winning four titles since June — including Wimbledon — and earning 22 consecutive victories from the beginning of Queen’s Club until the Cincinnati semi-finals. Now, shortly after the Britons became the first team to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals, Glasspool has made history.

The 31-year-old today became the No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Doubles Rankings for the first time, with Cash right behind at No. 2. Glasspool is more focused on their accomplishments together.

“The team, the race, is more of the focus because if you top that at the end of the year, you’ll be No. 1. But it’s an amazing feeling, it’s something to tell the grandkids,” Glasspool said. “It’s probably more special on that side of it rather than actually whilst you play. But I think it is a good reflection of the year we’ve had. Being the No. 1 team as well, me and Jules, we’ve had such a great year, such a good past couple months, I think it’s deserved.

“It’s just really nice to have on the side and take a lot of comfort and confidence from it... It’s an amazing achievement and I’m really proud.”

In 2015, Glasspool completed a standout college tennis career at the University of Texas, where he teamed with Soren Hess-Olesen to become the first student-athletes from their school to win the NCAA Doubles Championship in 71 years. Now, Glasspool is the top doubles player in the world. His partner, 28-year-old Cash, also played college tennis, at Oklahoma State University.

“I loved the whole college experience,” Cash said. “College was quite a last-minute decision for me, and I wasn't really sure what to expect. I just saw some Brits coming out of college and they were all doing well and spoke highly of it, so I decided to give it a shot.”

The two Britons did not know one another until after their college days. Their relationship began in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic at the UK Pro Series, where the two doubles players faced off in singles and there was questionable line calling — at least according to Glasspool.

“It was behind closed doors, and it was the only event going,” Glasspool recalled. “It was just mid-match, it was a real tight point and he just brought out his college finger and stuck it up after the ball hit on the line for a winner. That’s all there is to it, but he's grown from that now.”

Cash quickly replied: “You won't be surprised I won that match.”

It is safe to say they have put that moment behind them. Does that moment make Cash a bad guy?

“Still looking for that answer,” a smiling Glasspool said, joking, a reflection of their lighthearted relationship. “We got on pretty well from the start. It's a very good atmosphere at the NTC. Everyone gets on well. I think we all want each other to do well, so it's a good group of guys now.”

“We never really crossed paths,” Cash said. “But then obviously the last three, four years have spent a lot of time together in London training with Louis and all the other guys.”

Louis is Louis Cayer, the Lawn Tennis Association coach who looks after Great Britain’s doubles players. Cayer is among those who felt Cash and Glasspool should give a partnership a shot. They played together for the first time last September in Hangzhou and have claimed seven trophies together since.

“I think our gamestyles are pretty similar,” Glasspool said. “Both big servers, a lot of holding serve, and then we can be a bit free on return games or at least a bit more tactical and put the pressure straight back on them.

“We both have the same goals really and are both willing to work hard, train, improve on things we're not as good at. So I think that mentality definitely plays a big part in [our success].”

Wimbledon champions Cash and Glasspool. Photo: AFP/Getty Images.

Just more than a month ago at Wimbledon, Cash and Glasspool became the first all-British team to win a major men’s doubles since 1936. But instead of resting on their success, they earned their maiden ATP Masters 1000 crown together in Toronto and extended their winning streak to 22 before falling to Nikola Mektic and Rajeev Ram in a tight Cincinnati semi-final.

“I'd actually say it's almost past us — for me, anyway — because the Tour, it's so quick,” Glasspool said of their Wimbledon triumph. “It starts up again and everyone kind of moves on to the next big thing, and I think we have to move past it as well. [We need to] take the confidence from it, but we have to move past it to really focus and do well at these tournaments.”

Cash and Glasspool had two key goals entering the season: winning a major and qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals. Check and check. The Britons are eager for more, though.

“Really excited that we'll get the opportunity,” Cash said, thinking ahead to the Nitto ATP Finals. “It’s something I think we will relish.”

Click here to read article