Through no fault of his own, retired Australian tennis great and Wimbledon winner Pat Cash recently copped a serve on social media.
The confusion arose during BBC’s live commentary of last night’s Sam Groth-Roger Federer match at the All England club.
Many viewers took offence at what they misheard as a gay slur.
Cash commented on fellow Aussie Groth, who is the fastest-serving male tennis player in the world at the moment, with a first serve of 145mph. He appeared to refer to players who stay on the baseline as ‘the gay ones’ and players who serve-volley as ‘real men’.
Within moments, fans bombarded both Cash and the BBC’s various Twitter feeds demanding he apologise.
Many hoped they either misheard or misunderstood his turn of phrase.
While many fans on social media were appalled by the apparent comments, other spectators claimed Cash actually referred to baseliners as ‘the game ones’.
QNews.com.au either listened very carefully or we’re regurgitating something we read elsewhere. So here’s what we believe Pat Cash actually said.
“I always tell my kids, all the baseliners, the serve-volleyers are real game, real men.
“We’re the game ones. Chickens like you (fellow commentator John Inverdale) stand at the back of the court.”
For the record, Federer downed a gallant Groth in four sets, leaving Nick Kyrgios as the only Aussie still standing.
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