It’s nearly 18 years since I faced a barrage of Andy Murray’s 125 mph serves but now it’s nearly time for his final rally.
At the age of 36 Father Time has called time on his bionic metal hip and a truly stellar career that has seen him win Wimbledon twice, the US Open, and two Olympic Gold Medals.
Back then when I faced him across the net he was racing into the World’s top 10 and wasn’t taken any prisoners, even with hapless journalists thrown at him like cannon fodder.
He blew me away and my colleagues were similarly dispatched on top of a specially prepared court in a car park in West London as part of a come and meet the press day organised by the LTA.
I'm no slouch and have played County tennis for a few years, but after trading a battery of backhands and forehands he had been running all over the court and dispatched me, 6-1 Even then, there was a steely determination in his eyes that shouted - no mercy!
Fast forward to this year’s Wimbledon in July and we are likely to see a great champion bow out of top-flight tennis for the last time.
Murray leaves a rich legacy and must lay claim to being one of Britain’s greatest-ever sportsmen.
He wrote himself into the history books becoming the first Brit to win the Wimbledon Singles Title in 2013 since Fred Perry 77 years earlier.
The father of four won it again in 2016 becoming World Number One in the process, which was no mean feat considering he was playing against the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
Often mistaken for a sullen Scot, his dour sense of humour has kept everyone amused over the years.
And of course, we quickly forgave him for his joke during the 2006 World Cup saying he would be supporting “anyone playing England” after his native Scotland failed to qualify. And, of course, the fact that he used to wear a cap with the Scottish flag emblazoned all over it ! Well he is one of our own now, isn't he?
The truth is Murray has inspired a generation of tennis players to get involved in the game. A true legend, he left everything out on the court, always giving 100 percent as he bludgeoned his way to 46 career titles.
Away from the dramas of the Centre Court, he has been outspoken as a feminist, successfully arguing for equal pay for both men and women on the circuit and quietly received the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award in 2014 after years of support for numerous charities, especially the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
As a player, he never knew when to quit and he will surely be playing just as big a role behind the scenes as he hangs up his racket for the final time.
LOADED VERDICT: Hero, legend, one of the greatest athletes of all time. We salute you!