With the uncontrollable roar and the unavoidable collapse to his knees, it was evident what winning the Cincinnati Masters meant to the bone-tired boy from Dunblane.
Andy Murray's victory against world No3 Novak Djokovic in the searing heat of southwestern Ohio last Sunday became his greatest triumph to date, achieved with an assuredness and maturity that has been so often lacking from his game.
The significance of emerging from the titanic two-hour-23-minute tussle with an ATP Masters title – second in prestige only to the Grand Slams – was etched all over the Scotsman's face.
After smashing a final, powerful two-handed backhand deep into the baseline, Murray screamed in jubilation and fell to the floor, fists clenched. Rising wearily to meet his defeated opponent at the net, the embrace and words of praise from Djokovic seemed to pass him by, as he stood shell-shocked in the centre of the court. This was the reward at the end of a long journey for Murray. Last August, the 21-year-old played out the summer Masters Series with one victory and two thrashings in Toronto and Cincinnati.
He was struggling to overcome a career-threatening wrist injury, with concerns about his fitness and temperament adding to the pressure of being British No1.
He was lambasted for his decision to part company with combative coach Brad Gilbert in November, following another below-par performance at the US Open.
In what is supposed to be his greatest chance at Grand Slam glory, Murray was beaten convincingly by Korean Hyung-Taik Lee, a player ranked 43rd in the world and 11 years his senior.
Camp Murray had reached a crossroads. In came compatriot Miles Maclagan, a former British Davis Cup player, and fitness experts Jez Green and Matt Little. Murray admitted to "training harder than I ever have" in Miami during the off-season and capitalised on his improved fitness immediately.
He sealed his fourth career title at the Qatar Open – defeating top seed and world No4 Nikolay Davydenko in the semi-finals – won in Marseille, dispatched world No1 Roger Federer in straight sets here in Dubai and got to his first Grand Slam quarter-final at Wimbledon in July.
However, his loss to Rafael Nadal at the All-England Club signalled a change in attitude in the player. There was no show of petulance or screams of frustration, just an acceptance that he was beaten by arguably the best player in the world at the time. He also dealt admirably with the intense media focus surrounding the great British hope at SW19.
Murray came into the US hardcourt season having lost all four meetings with close friend Djokovic. He resurfaced this week with two victories against the Australian Open champion and admitted the change on and off the court had served him well.
"In the past maybe I'd have let [the conditions] get to me, but now I'm playing top players on a regular basis and I'm better equipped," said the new world No6 with a deep exhale at the prize-giving. It will take a while for Murray to come back down to earth after keeping his head in the heat of Cincinnati.
Ton up for F1
Heikki Kovalainen celebrated his new contract extension at McLaren in style on Sunday, when the Finn won the Hungarian Grand Prix. His maiden victory saw him become the 100th F1 GP winner.
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