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There are few players on the ATP Tour that personify perseverance better than Chris O'Connell.
The lanky Sydneysider has experienced many low points in his career, which is why he deserves to enjoy the moment following his marathon five-set win in the first round of the Australian Open.
A stress fracture in his back, knee tendonitis and a bout of pneumonia had the potential to force O'Connell into an early retirement, which almost happened more than once.
At one stage he was working in a clothing store on Sydney's Northern Beaches, while in 2018 he was cleaning boats at a marina to make a living after taking time away from the tour.
But as he reflected on Sunday's win over Chilean Cristian Garin in a match lasting more than four hours, O'Connell was thankful that he never called it quits.
"I've had a lot of time off and I've kicked on a bit later in my career," O'Connell said.
"I feel like I'm actually young, even though I'm 29, turning 30 this year. There are so many guys that are doing well in their 30s, hitting career highs.
"So, I've got plenty more years to come, I think."
O'Connell has entrenched himself inside the top 100 on the ATP rankings, sitting at 68 as the Australian Open kicks into gear.
He reached a career-high 53 last year during a season in which he made at least the quarterfinals at six ATP 250 tournaments, including an appearance in the last four in Munich.
O'Connell also made the third round at Wimbledon, his best showing to date at SW19.
An entry into the top 50 is not beyond O'Connell in 2024 if he continues to produce the form that saw him fight back from two sets down to beat Garin 3-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5.
He may also avoid having to contest the second-tier Challenger tournaments that he needed to play in order to resurrect his career when it was beset by injury and frustration.
O'Connell has not forgotten those days, refusing to take the success he has since enjoyed for granted.
"I literally think about it every day, to be honest," he said.
"It's a pretty amazing feeling … playing all those [second-tier] tournaments, or being injured or being back home, and now I'm having moments like this. It's crazy."
O'Connell will face either rising US star and 16th seed Ben Shelton or Spain's former top-10 player Roberto Bautista Agut in the second round.
It is the third time O'Connell has progressed at least this far at the Australian Open.