For years, the narrative around British tennis has often been dominated by the search for a successor to Andy Murray in singles. But quietly, and then with a resounding roar, a different story has been unfolding on the doubles courts of the ATP Tour. As the 2024 season concludes, the world's top-ranked men's doubles pairing is, for the first time in the Open Era, an all-British team: Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool.
Their remarkable ascent to the pinnacle of the sport is not an isolated incident. It is the spearhead of a broader British doubles boom, a movement powered by a new generation of talent and a shifting mindset. Cash and Glasspool sat down with BBC Sport to discuss their historic achievement and the fertile ground from which it has grown.
A Meteoric Rise to World Number One
The partnership between Cash, 27, and Glasspool, 30, only became permanent at the start of the 2023 season. Their chemistry, however, was immediate. Combining Glasspool's thunderous left-handed serve and formidable net presence with Cash's elite returning and razor-sharp reflexes, they quickly became one of the most feared teams on tour. Their journey to the summit was sealed with a series of deep runs at major tournaments, including a maiden Masters 1000 title in Montreal and a finals appearance at the ATP Finals in Turin.
Reflecting on finishing the year as the world's best, Glasspool told BBC Sport, "It's a surreal feeling. When we started out, we believed we could be a good team, but to actually hit that number one spot and finish the year there... it validates all the hard work and the sacrifices." Cash echoed the sentiment, adding, "You see the names on that list – the Bryans, the Woodies – and to have our names there now is just incredible. It’s a dream we both shared, but to live it is something else."
The Pillars of a Winning Partnership
The success of the Cash-Glasspool duo is built on a foundation of complementary skills and a rock-solid friendship. In the high-stakes world of professional doubles, where points are won and lost in a matter of seconds, their understanding is their greatest asset.
"We just gel," Cash explained. "On the court, we have that trust where we don't even need to look at each other to know what the other is going to do. And off the court, we get on great, which I think is massively underrated."
Their game is a modern masterclass in doubles strategy, built on a few key principles:
- The Serve: Glasspool’s powerful lefty delivery from the ad-court is a primary weapon, creating easy put-aways.
- The Return: Cash’s aggressive returning, particularly his chip-and-charge off second serves, puts immediate pressure on opponents.
- Net Dominance: Both are exceptional volleyers, refusing to cede an inch at the net.
A British Doubles Renaissance
The success of Cash and Glasspool is the brightest star in a constellation of British doubles talent. The landscape is richer and more successful than it has been for generations. Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski have been consistent forces at the top of the game for years, with multiple Grand Slam titles between them. Salisbury, with American partner Rajeev Ram, completed a calendar-year Grand Slam in mixed doubles and has held the world number one spot previously. Skupski won the Wimbledon men's doubles title in 2022 and the mixed doubles in 2023.
Beyond these established names, the pipeline is strong. Jamie Murray, a former world number one and multiple Grand Slam champion, continues to compete at the highest level, providing a veteran presence. Younger players like Henry Patten and Luke Johnson are also making significant strides on the ATP Tour. Glasspool believes this collective success is creating a powerful ripple effect. "Seeing other Brits do well, it makes you believe it's possible," he said. "We're all pushing each other. It's not a rivalry, it's a healthy competition that raises everyone's level."
The LTA's Role and a Cultural Shift
This boom is not entirely accidental. There has been a conscious effort within the British tennis ecosystem, supported by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), to place a greater emphasis on doubles. Recognising it as a viable pathway to a successful professional career, the governing body has invested in specialist coaching and created more competitive opportunities for developing players to hone their doubles skills.
Julian Cash highlighted this shift, stating, "The support for doubles has definitely improved. There's a better understanding now that doubles is a serious, professional discipline with its own unique demands. It's not just something you do on the side. The LTA has been great in providing us with the right environment and coaching to excel." This focused approach has helped British players develop the specific tactical intelligence and technical skills required to thrive on the global stage.
Looking Ahead: Legacy and Goals
With the world number one ranking secured for 2024, the ambitions for Cash and Glasspool are now even greater. The obvious target is a Grand Slam title, a feat that would cement their legacy. "Winning a major is the next step," Cash stated matter-of-factly. "We've proven we can beat anyone and win big tournaments. Now we want one of the big four."
They are also keenly aware of their role as standard-bearers for this British movement. Their success provides inspiration and a clear roadmap for the next generation. "We hope that kids picking up a racket now can see that there's more than one way to make it in tennis," Glasspool said. "Doubles is a fantastic, high-level career, and we're proof that British players can be the best in the world at it."
The story of British tennis is being rewritten. While the search for a singles champion continues, the nation has unquestionably become a doubles superpower. Led by the historic achievement of Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool, and supported by a deep and talented cohort, the British doubles boom is not a fleeting moment, but the dawn of a new era.