Andy Murray never afraid to speak out on equal rights
He took on Novak Djokovic head-on when his on-court rival suggested men deserved more money because they drew bigger crowds.
Friday 11 January 2019 14:05, UK
He couldn't quite get the word out, couldn't bring himself to say "retire".
Sir Andy Murray said: "Wimbledon, that's where I'd like to...like to stop playing." He may not even get that far.
You could sense his world crashing around his ears - the world he's embraced with drive and passion since he was swinging rackets as a boy in Dunblane and a teenager in Barcelona.
The torrent of tributes began within minutes, and it's instructive that Billie-Jean King sent one of the first.
"Your greatest impact may be yet to come," said the six-time Wimbledon champion and campaigner over half a century for women's rights in tennis and beyond.
"Your voice for equality will inspire future generations."
Murray was never afraid to speak out on the subject, no matter who was in the opposition corner.
He took on Novak Djokovic head-on when his frequent on-court rival suggested men deserved more money because they drew bigger crowds.
And it wasn't just words. Murray hired 2005 Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo as coach, making her easily the world's most high-profile woman in that role.
Both received waves of abuse, including from some (male) competitors.
The Frenchwoman guided him to his first titles on clay, but the impact of the relationship - and his fight for equal rights - will endure longer.
British number one Jo Konta talked of the "many examples of when he has stood up not just for women's tennis but women in general".
Fellow tennis star Heather Watson added: "All of us girls in the locker room are so grateful for how you always fight our corner."
Just the Brits, paying due tribute? Far from it.
Here's Germany's Andrea Petkovic: "A huge loss. Even nowadays, when you think everything is equal, you still need men, especially successful men, to speak up for women."
And now? He's already active on the next phase of his life, with investment, media and management interests.
In the latter sphere, his sports agency, 77, is working with Britain's promising Katie Swan, 19, who tweeted: "Thank you for showing me what it means to never give up."
If giving up is what the reigning Olympic champion is forced to do next week, his inability to compete killing him inside and his hip agony grinding him to a standstill on the outside, then what a legacy he leaves.
From snarling, gangly, tousle-haired, little-loved brattish teenager to a knight of the realm, who made millions cry with joy when he swept away 77 years of (male) British hurt at Wimbledon in 2013, he has lived his life under pressure and under the microscope, and came out a hero to most.
For all sorts of reasons.