A first that’s licensed to thrill
There are so many highlights to choose from when I think back over Andy’s career, but one of my favourite memories is watching him play on Centre Court for the first time in 2005. He was a just-turned 18-year-old rookie and had defied all the odds to make it through to the third round, where he faced world No 4 David Nalbandian.
There was no expectation, just a sense of excitement and adventure. I was sitting in the player’s box (my first time there, too) and I remember looking to my left and seeing Sean Connery in the Royal Box. There was Andy doing what he had dreamed about as a little boy, and James Bond was on his feet applauding him. I was both shaken and stirred.