Even Roger Federer once harboured self-doubts and the humble Swiss has expressed his relief at "living through a drastic generation change" to carve out a career of unrivalled longevity and excellence.
Federer will today face Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in his 35th consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final, an amazing record that will surely stand the test of time.
But as he continues his quest for an unprecedented fifth Australian Open men's crown, Federer has revealed how he wasn't always so sure his graceful, old-school game would survive in the new age of power tennis and relentless baseliners.
"I came through in a generation where I was made to come to the net," said Federer.
"Because if I wasn't going to be at the net, the other guy was going to be at the net.