And so farewell, Pete Sampras. Or at least farewell to that 95% of you that has decided to pack up tennis. And what a nasty, niggling 5% of uncertainty it is that will not allow you yet to retire for good, thereby denying a host of commentators the chance to place your career achievements in a historical context.

Men’s tennis is in a mess. This year’s Wimbledon was a bore, with one of the worst finals yet, and the Australian and French Opens were also numbingly mediocre.

Ask Lleyton Hewitt who has given him the most problems on court and he is more likely to cite a line judge or an umpire than a player.