In the days before the start of Wimbledon 2019, 256 men and women spent their week battling in the qualifying tournament in Roehampton. Late into the evening, during the opening round, a 17-year-old by the name of Jannik Sinner stepped on to the lawn for his first grand slam qualifier.
For the group of fans and players that stood on the narrow paths each side of the court, it was unforgettable. Sinner spent more than two and a half hours pulverising the ball, winners flying from all parts of the court as the purity of his ball-striking elicited gasps. But he also provoked a special performance from his journeyman opponent, Alex Bolt. It was an incredible match and the Australian barely hung on, winning 12-10 in the third set.
