Andy Murray celebrates the 10th anniversary of his own stunning Wimbledon success this year.
But the 36-year-old, who takes on fellow Brit Ryan Peniston in the first round of this year's instalment on Tuesday, has also been quick to salute Pete Sampras and Roger Federer, two legends and huge personal influences that are also marking significant milestones.
That pair between them won 15 of the last 29 men’s singles titles at SW19. Sampras won the first of his seven in 1993, and Federer claimed the first of his record eight a decade later.
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The memories of a career-defining first British Wimbledon men’s single success for 77 years and Fred Perry will never die.
A fourth Championship point that saw Novak Djokovic put a backhand into the net, and then the disbelieving reaction from the Scot as the Centre Court exploded.
But as true warrior Murray acknowledged ‘my most important title’ he also reflected on the journey since, one that has brought him through career-threatening injury and hip surgery.
Murray said, “Obviously so much has happened since that Wimbledon win in 2013 – on and off the court.
“There have been some great moments on the court, and some really tough ones with the injuries and everything.
“Away from the court I have got married, got four children, they are all at school, I have moved house…they are huge changes for me personally from 2013.
“A lot has happened since then. And so it doesn’t feel like yesterday for me. I know some people say time flies, but it feels like a really, really long time ago!
“I have got up to a lot of stuff since then which is a good thing, but it was a brilliant few weeks in 2013 and I would describe that as the biggest win of my career.
“It wasn’t my favourite one, but definitely the biggest one and the most important title I won.”
When it comes to Sampras and Federer, the former was someone Murray only watched and admired as a kid – but with Federer he enjoyed a genuine playing rivalry, winning 11 of their 25 clashes.
Murray added: “Obviously both Pete and Roger were unbelievable grass-court players.
“I watched Sampras a lot when I was growing up as a kid. He had a great serve, was a top athlete and also an incredible competitor. I think sometimes that side of him gets overlooked.
“People talk about his serve and his athleticism, but as a competitor when it came down to crunch moments he was one of the best.
“So many of his matches came down to tiebreaks and a few points here and there at the end of sets, and he was brilliant in those situations.
“With Roger, I watched him a little bit growing up, and then after more as a competitor and someone I got to play against.
“An amazing tennis player, with what he could do with the ball. Not many players, if any, have been able to do what he did. Two of the best to ever play the game, particularly on a grass court.
“Sport always moves on and improves as generations pass. Roger’s game…he obviously served unbelievably well, as Sampras did. Good hands, brilliant athlete too.
“But he maybe just had that bit more variety from the back of the court and a bit more consistency there.
“Some of that was changes in rackets and technology, and as the courts became a bit slower you had to become a bit more versatile maybe from the back of the court.
“I think that was the main difference for Roger to the previous generation. But I know Roger loved watching Pete growing up, who was one of his idols.”
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