The Climb. Everybody in the tennis world knows it, and those old enough vividly remember their surprise in witnessing the unique celebration. Now a staple of any finals day at a major championship — 14 players since 1987 have scaled the architecture at The Championships — and those triumphant few at Wimbledon pay homage to Pat Cash, the original climber to his family and friends. The Wimbledon champion, who dared to dream and delivered 30 years ago.

Having punched away a forehand volley — his 52nd winner on the world’s most famous lawn — to beat World No. 1 Ivan Lendl 7-6(5), 6-2, 7-5, Cash turned to his team and raised his arms to the sky in celebration of the ultimate prize. After a period of thought on his courtside chair, Cash ran 16 steps across Centre Court and deep into the crowd — a standing-room only area. “For a moment, I had stared at them and waved,” says Cash, 30 years on. “I almost chickened out for a minute, because I could see people lining up already and the presentation party getting ready.” But up the Australian went, and as he drew closer to a television commentary box, below his family and friends, doubts started to creep in.

“I joke about it that I beat three top players to win the Wimbledon title, but all people remember me for now is going up into the stands,” says Cash. “It was pre-planned, but I didn’t think about it too well. I didn’t want to jinx it, so I didn’t think about how to get up there or who to hug first.”

Ian Barclay, his coach for the past 11 years, watches on in horror. “I didn’t know anything about it,” says Barclay, a coach for 50 years. “It frightened the hell out of me, as there was a 30-foot drop, as that area was a standing room only area.” Darren Cahill, who had practised with Cash prior to the semi-finals and final, and has returned to the locker room after losing the mixed doubles final with Nicole Provis, recalls, “I remember thinking, ‘What in the hell is he doing?’ Like everyone, I suppose. But it was great, spontaneous and emotional… very similar to the way Cashy has always lived his life.”

A phoney ‘priest’ with a dog collar, who isn’t of the cloth, but has got through the Doherty Gates and blagged his way onto Centre Court, watched Cash’s climb through his camera lens, taking photos on a polaroid. Cash climbed onto the shoulders of the ‘priest’ to the next level. Shortly after the spectator gave his snaps to Barclay, who, despite the polaroids fading over the past 30 years, treasures the photos to this day.

“When I got there, I didn’t realise there wasn’t any seats to stand on,” says Cash. “It was standing room only. I was regretting it midway up, but I thought I was going to make myself the biggest fool of all time. I was thinking about turning around, going down and back onto the court. But I knew I couldn’t do that, so it took me a while to test out the strength of the commentary box roof.”

Meanwhile, His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, had left his wicker chair, before walking down the Royal Box steps and out onto the sport’s cathedral. He stood beside the trophy, perched on a table covered by the Union Flag. You can set your watch to the time between match point and the start of the trophy presentation. Since first awarding the trophy to Rod Laver in 1969, no presentation of the Duke’s had been delayed. ‘Buzzer’ Hadingham, in his fifth year as the All England Club Chairman, a man of considerable personal charm and a first-class communicator, was getting twitchy.

The wait is almost over.

Dick Enberg, now 82, was commentating with the late Bud Collins for NBC from the commentary box in 1987 that Cash climbed onto, then over a ledge to the friends’ box. Enberg remembers, “During the course of the final, our NBC director, Ted Nathanson, had trained a camera on Cash’s father sitting in the stands. The rugged-looking character, wearing a cap, reacted by clenching his fist whenever his son made a brilliant shot. When Pat Cash junior and senior bear-hugged, it was a manly embrace — every son hugging their father.”

“That’s what it was all about,” admits Cash. “I had this team. They were really important to me and my Dad, who managed the business side with IMG, was everything to me. Afterwards, the chairman came up to me and said, ‘Enjoy the moment, but promise me you won’t do it again.’ He said it because I kept members of the Royal family waiting.”

Although Rafael Nadal was disappointed to lose his fourth-round match on Monday against Gilles Muller, he was able to recognise how special the Wimbledon atmosphere was for their classic battle. 

The crowd cheered at full volume for his winners in the latter stages of the 15-13 fifth set, and Nadal encouraged them to get involved by roaring in their direction and throwing his arms in the air. In the final games between Nadal and Muller, Court No. 1 resembled an arena rock concert more than a tennis match.

“It was a great feeling. Great atmosphere. I put everything on the court. I played with all my passion and the crowd normally appreciates that,” said Nadal. “Just thanks for the support. I tried. I’m sorry for the crowd that were supporting me, but it was great to feel all their support.”

But for Nadal, looking back at his missed opportunities provided less of a positive feeling. The Spaniard produced high-level tennis on the day, hitting 77 winners to 17 errors. However, he hit only 17 winners in the first two sets as Muller often dictated the rallies. Nadal also went two for 16 on break point chances, including four break points at 9-9 in the deciding set.

Although he wasn’t happy with all aspects of his tennis, the two-time Wimbledon champion said he was pleased with how he competed for the nearly five hours of play.

“He played well. I think I didn’t play my best the first two sets. I made a couple mistakes that made me then play against the score all the time, and that’s so difficult against a player like him,” said Nadal. “So well done for him. Especially in the fifth set, he played great. I was there and fought until the last ball with the right attitude. It probably wasn’t my best match, but at the same time I played against a very uncomfortable opponent.”

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After a nearly flawless clay-court season that saw him capture his 10th crowns at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell and Roland Garros, it was somewhat expected that Nadal would experience a letdown at some point this season. His success at Roland Garros has been followed by surprise losses at the All England Club in recent years, but it appeared that Nadal was in position to reverse that trend this year after cruising through his first three rounds without the loss of a set.

Nadal made the second week here for the only the second time since 2011, but also made it clear that he expected far more from himself this fortnight.

“I lost in the fourth round. That’s not the result that I was expecting. It’s true that I played some good matches, but at the same time, I didn’t want to lose that match. So it is tough to analyse that in a positive way right now,” said Nadal. “I won matches and played better than other years. But at the same time, I was ready for important things, so I lost an opportunity.”