As Novak Djokovic thundered a wayward backhand into the Centre Court net, a 500 tonne gorilla was hoisted off the back of Andy Murray.
Murray’s 6-4 7-5 6-4 victory over his long-time Serbian rival was the sweetest victory he will ever experience.
He played the match of his life on Sunday as he ruthlessly dismantled the statistically best player in the world.
It was tough, it was brutal, but Murray always seemed to have the upper hand.
His court coverage was exceptional and he never let Djokovic get into a comfortable rhythm.
The Scotsman won more points on his first serve (72% vs. 59%), hit more winners (36 vs. 31) and made fewer errors (21 vs. 40).
He also converted seven out 17 break points while Djokovic could only win four out of 13. But the Murray’s win went beyond the available stats; the win came from a new attitude to the game.
In January 2012, I wrote an article on this website which questioned whether Murray could ever be a champion.
At the time he was a great stroke maker but lacked ticker, fitness and composure towards the end of lengthy tennis matches.
He had yet to win a set in the three Grand Slam finals he had and despite holding his own and nearly beating Djokovic, he lost that year’s Australian Open semi-final.
However, little did the public know he had a plan to make him the best in the world.
Murray prior to the 2012 Oz Open appointed Ivan Lendl as his coach along with new fitness coaches.
Lendl like Murray, lost his first four Grand Slam finals but recovered to win 8 Grand Slam titles.
Unlike the Czech maestro, Murray struggled with the burden of working on the practice courts whereas Lendl was renowned for being a dedicated trainer who raised the bar on the professional circuit.
He along with Murray’s new fitness staff put him on a program that made him a tougher and less susceptible to losing the big matches.
Ironically, Lendl also brought irreverence and a lighter side to Murray who beforehand, struggled in the charismatic stakes.
He improved dramatically with his increased training and effort being rewarded with a Wimbledon final against Roger Federer.
While he won the first set and looked like a man on a mission, Federer hung on before ruthlessly disposing of him.
Murray later commented that the Wimbledon defeat was the worst of his career but rather than getting angry, he got even.
In the same venue where he lost Wimbledon, he beat Federer to win Olympic Gold before winning his first Grand Slam at the 2012 US Open.
While he lost the 2013 Australian Open and missed the French Open through injury, Wimbledon was his to lose this year.
While there were a few hairy moments (Fernando Verdasco anyone?), you just felt Murray looked the winner from day one.
Make no mistake, the sleeping giant of the ‘big four’ has awoken.
Murray’s triumph at Wimbledon is just the nexus for what will be a long and successful career.
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