He's mentored by SBW, plays the flute and is a champion swimmer. Now he's chasing his Wimbledon dream
The Filipino-born world No.177 already won a round at this year's Australian Open, and is competing with the likes of Tristan Schoolkate and Li Tu to be the next Aussie man to crack the top 100. McCabe's dad, Irish-born Patrick, and former world No.15 Wally Masur are coaching him.
'Tennis has always been my dream. Dad took me on the court when I was two-and-a-half, and I could rally the first time I picked up a racquet,' McCabe said. 'Dad has the video somewhere. He thought it was a bit silly – I had a diaper on at the time.'
McCabe hates swimming so much from his competitive experience that he barely gets wet these days. He dumped that sport at 15 and made an instant impact when he began swinging a racquet again.
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McCabe won the singles at the Pizzey Cup team event, then captured the singles and doubles titles in his age group at Tennis Australia's December Showdown to stamp his ticket for the 2020 Junior Australian Open.
'[But] I dropped the racquets again, COVID hit, and I got really fat – Sonny always makes jokes about it, so I don't really want those photos being released,' McCabe said.
'We had the UTR [tournaments] in Sydney and Brisbane during COVID, and that's when I met Wally and basically, everything kicked off. Wally's mentored and coached me since.'
TA granted McCabe a wildcard into last year's Australian Open, then again this past January, but this is the first time he has qualified for a major. His first-round Wimbledon foe, Marozsan, has been ranked in the top 40 and made the round of 32 at the past two Australian Opens, so McCabe has his work cut out.
'It's going to be a battle. I'm excited,' he said.
'I've just got to get my emotions in check. I'll have [time] to go and see and explore Wimbledon, then [I will get] back into training and try to stay calm and plan and do everything I possibly can to hopefully get over the line.'
McCabe needed less time to give his opinion on the long-awaited Sonny Bill Williams-Paul Gallen boxing match in Sydney on July 16.
Ex-rugby superstar Williams is a long-time family friend of the McCabes, and was in his player box for his breakthrough victory at Melbourne Park in January. They FaceTime each other, and Williams sent McCabe a message of congratulations after he qualified for Wimbledon.
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They even share the same manager, Khoder Nasser.
'I'm very lucky and grateful that I have Sonny Bill mentoring me and giving me all his tips,' McCabe said.
'[He might be] the greatest of all-time in his field, and the way he carries himself – his humbleness – [is rare]. Giving away your gold medal after winning the world championships [in 2015] would make anyone cry.
'The more banter, the better. Hopefully, one is on the floor, and it's not Sonny. Sonny is always my No.1. Brother, you've got this – believe.'
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