Andy Murray plays his first Wimbledon singles match in four years on Monday – with the journey back to Centre Court hailed as an equivalent achievement to his grand slam titles.
The former world number one has battled through injuries that threatened to end his career, so it will be a remarkable feat when he walks out to face Nikoloz Basilashvili.
Murray, who has won Wimbledon twice and the US Open once, as well as landing two Olympic gold medals in singles, underwent hip resurfacing in 2019 but has continued to be plagued by fitness problems.
The tribute to the resilience of the 34-year-old came from women's British number one Johanna Konta, who was cruelly ruled out of Wimbledon on Sunday when a close contact tested positive for COVID-19.
Konta, who spoke to Stats Perform before receiving that painful news, reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2017, the last year Murray played singles at the All England Club.
He was fit enough to play doubles in 2019, partnering Serena Williams in the mixed event, but a billing on the main show court promises to be an emotional occasion for a player who is struggling to repeat past glories.
"I think Andy really represents tenacity and perseverance," said Konta, a Jaguar ambassador.
"He loves this game, he loves winning in this game, he loves being good and great in this game. I think he will keep doing everything he can to keep putting himself back into position to be great."
"I think maybe bringing the attention more on the fact he is trying to do that, with the challenges he's had, is what we should be celebrating and we should be really acknowledging.
"I think this is probably equally as difficult as when he won his slams and his gold medals.
"I think it's on a par with that achievement. I think and hope people can see that and really acknowledge it because he really deserves that."
:: Johanna Konta is a Jaguar ambassador. Jaguar is the Official Car of The Championships, Wimbledon. To discover Jaguar’s unmatched experiences visit jaguar.co.uk/Wimbledon
Sabalenka experienced dressing room 'hate' after Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Aryna Sabalenka received "hate" in the dressing room after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Sabalenka finished as runner-up at Indian Wells last week, losing to Elena Rybakina, who she defeated in the Australian Open final in January.
Born in Belarus, an ally of Russia, the 24-year-old revealed ahead of her Miami Open campaign that "weird conversations" had come from members of other players' teams, rather than her fellow pros.
"It was really tough for me because I've never faced that much hate in the locker room," she said. "There are a lot of haters on Instagram when you're losing matches, but in the locker room I've never faced that.
"I had some, not like fights, but I had some weird conversations with, not the girls, but with members of their team. It was tough. It was a tough period. But now it's getting better.
"It was really tough to understand that there's so many people who hate me for no reason. I did nothing."
Players from Russia and Belarus have been classed as neutral since the invasion, and were banned from last year's Wimbledon.
Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko pulled out of her match against Sabalenka at Indian Wells after suffering a panic attack following a conversation she had with WTA chief executive Steve Simon about tennis's response to the invasion.
World number one Iga Swiatek had called for greater support for Ukrainian players as a result of the conflict but another Belarusian, Victoria Azarenka, disagreed.
"There are certain players that have different feelings and behaviours. Overall, I don't necessarily share the same opinion as Iga does," Azarenka said.
"I'd encourage her to look at the things that have been done before she makes comments. As a player council member I'm happy to provide the facts. That would be a more appropriate way to have that conversation."
Giorgi outlasts Kanepi in equal-longest match of WTA season at Miami Open
Camila Giorgi progressed into the Miami Open second round despite blowing a 5-0 third-set lead as she edged past veteran Kaia Kanepi in the equal-longest main draw match of the year on Tuesday.
The Italian world number 44, who won February's Merida Open, outlasted the Estonian 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-4) in three hours and 32 minutes.
The length was equal to the Erika Andreeva-Harriet Dart first-round match at the ATX Open last month for the longest this WTA season.
But Giorgi could have had an earlier finish, leading 5-0 in the decider before Kanepi hit back by winning the next five games, only for the Italian to rally in the tie-break, converting her fourth match point.
Giorgi, who blew match points at 5-3 and 5-4, will take on three-time Miami Open winner and 2023 Australian Open semi-finalist Victoria Azarenka in the second round.
Russian 34-year-old Evgeniya Rodina produced the upset of the day's play, beating 37th-ranked Bernarda Pera 6-3 6-4 in 73 minutes and will take on 20th seed Magda Linette in the second round.
Rodina is currently ranked 369th in the world having returned to the WTA Tour midway through last season after a two-year absence, having reached a career-high 67th in May 2019.
World number 39 Elise Mertens eased into the second round with a 6-1 6-4 win over USA's Alycia Parks, setting up a second-round clash with eighth seed Daria Kasatkina.
World number 43 Yulia Putintseva bowed out prematurely, going down 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 to Canada's Rebecca Marino, who advanced to face sixth seed Coco Gauff.
Teenager Linda Fruhvirtova, ranked 50th in the world, also suffered a shock loss, beaten 6-2 4-6 6-4 by 172nd-ranked Canadian qualifier Katherine Sebov, while Laura Siegemund won 6-3 6-4 over 52nd-ranked Mayar Sherif
Katerina Siniakova withdrew due to injury despite winning the first set against USA's Claire Liu, with scores at 6-3 3-3. Liu's prize is a second-round meeting with top seed and reigning champion Iga Swiatek.
Navratilova reveals she is cancer-free as BJK welcomes 'wonderful news' and Haas hails 'icon'
Martina Navratilova has announced she is cancer-free, with Billie Jean King welcoming the "wonderful news".
Doctors believe the 66-year-old tennis great has beaten cancer for a second time, after previously overcoming breast cancer in 2010.
The Czech-American announced in January she had been diagnosed with throat and breast cancer, sparking an outpouring of well-wishes.
She is one of the most decorated players of all time, having won 18 grand slam singles titles between 1978 and 1990, plus a staggering 41 doubles slams.
Speaking to Piers Morgan on TalkTV, Navratilova said: "As far as they know, I'm cancer-free."
According to The Sun, Navratilova will have further preventative radiation treatment on her breast.
"Then I should be good to go," she said.
King, her friend and former tennis rival, was thrilled to learn Navratilova's health has taken a turn for the better.
She wrote on Twitter: "Such wonderful news from my dear friend, @Martina. We are so happy for you!"
Speaking to Stats Perform prior to Navratilova's announcement, former ATP world number two Tommy Haas spoke of his admiration for the legendary left-hander, and wished for a full recovery.
"What she has done in women's tennis and her success, the way she also kind of showcased her athleticism, her focus, her dedication to the sport, the records that she's broken, the longevity of it too," Haas said, listing reasons to be an admirer.
He described her as "an icon on the tour", and hoped she would survive this year's worrying cancer scare.
"Obviously, when you read the news about anyone in the tennis world that has had some kind of impact, or a great career, it's always sad, and you send them a text message, and you wish them the best and a speedy recovery," said Haas, the Indian Wells Open tournament director.
"You hope that they found these situations early, just like with Chris Evert [who recovered from ovarian cancer], and that they get through this and that they have the loved ones and friends around them and support them and get back to what they enjoy doing in life.
"I think we all know, and realise that without health, you have nothing. It's nice to be a part of certain things that you're passionate about. And it's important, and it's great, but being healthy and doing the things that you want to do ultimately, is really what it comes down to."
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