Murray was not just talking tennis’s greatest of all time, because Djokovic’s ownership of that honour has long since been put to bed. He was backing Djokovic’s claim to be the pre-eminent performer across the whole of sport; nay, the whole of sporting history.

Andy Murray has not been shy in putting his ego to one side and fully stepping into his coaching role with Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open. The announcement of Murray teaming up with Djokovic in his first coaching role since retiring from the sport caught many by surprise.

Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have known each other for a quarter of a century. They played from the age of 12, meeting 36 times as professionals, including 10 Grand Slam matches.