Cash hails Liverpool's influence

Cash is a fan of the Liverpool International Tennis Tournament

Pat Cash believes the Tradition-ICAP Liverpool International Tennis Tournament is proving itself as a breeding ground for emerging talent.

He told BBC Radio Merseyside: "Last year there was a Danish girl, Carolina Wozniacki, who has now raced into about the top 20 in the World."

"There was a Spanish guy David Ferrer who is now about number five in the world. Nobody really knew them then."

The six-day tournament gets under way at Calderstones Park on 10 June.

The 43-year-old Australian, Wimbledon champion in 1987, will be returning to play in the legends event for the third year in succession.

Cash said that he always enjoys his visits to the city: "It's been a great event for me, I've had a lot of fun.

"Playing singles matches, doubles matches and playing against some of the legends.

"The other great thing is there are some tour players up there because we [the legends] aren't proper pro players any more.

"We're semi-professional these days, we like to have a bit of fun. But you do have these ATP and WTA tour players."