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.

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.