Research, recover and repeat

With time on his hands, he trawled the internet for information and advice. He read medical articles and papers; he researched training methods and recovery programmes and still his knee would not get better. Finally, he found an orthopaedic surgeon in Chicago who could fix the problem.

Another operation and more rehab later, Marin was ready to return, albeit with a ranking outside the top 1,000. But, gritting his teeth and accepting his lot, he headed for the Challenger circuit to rebuild his career. After all, if Andy Murray could play again with a metal hip, Marin could come back from a patched-up knee.

“Obviously [with] Andy, all of us were hoping that he’d come back to the level where he was and to have a farewell that he deserved and wanted,” Cilic told the ATP website.

“That’s great to see and accept the situation as it is, not to feel too proud to not go down to Challengers and work your way back to the level where you want to be.”

And that is why Marin is out on court on Friday facing Lloyd Harris of South Africa in the final round of qualifying – and facing him with a smile on his face. It is three years since Marin was last in the main draw here and back then he reached the semi-finals, his best result at Roland Garros. Now he and his repaired knee are one match away from getting back there.

Three to watch on Friday

Yuliia Starodubtseva (UKR) v Sara Bejlek (CZE)

First match, Court 7

Yuliia Starodubtseva has been here before: she knows all about qualifying for Grand Slam events. Last year, in her first full season on tour, she qualified for all four of the slams, a remarkable achievement for someone who only stumbled into tennis. Her dad introduced her to the sport when she was five just to give her the chance to get some exercise. “But then it got more serious!” she told the WTA website. Born in Ukraine, she headed for the US and Old Dominion University in Virginia when she was 17. Five years, a degree in Communications and a masters in Sports Management later, she took a job as a tennis coach in Westchester, New York, and only then decided to turn pro. And now she is one match away from qualifying for Roland Garros again.

James Trotter (JPN) v Benjamin Hassan (LBN)

Second match, Court 9

Yes, you did read that correctly. James Trotter is from Japan even if his name does not sound typically Japanese. Actually, in Japan, he would be referred to as Trotter James but even that gives no clue as to his background. Born in Japan, his father is Australian – hence the name – and he started playing at the age of 10, which is quite late for a professional. No matter, he soon won the National High School Championships and was the top ranked junior. Moving on to Ohio State University, he never lost a college match before turning pro. Standing in his way is Benjamin Hassan, the world No.221 and the No.2 player in Lebanon.

Taylor Townsend (USA) v Daria Saville (AUS)

First match, Court Suzanne-Lenglen

On paper, Taylor Townsend should be the favourite to win this one: she is ranked 28 places higher than Daria Saville at No.106; she is two inches taller at 5ft 7ins (170cm), she is two years younger at 29 and she is the world No.2 in doubles. And she is left-handed which always presents a challenge. But in their only previous meeting, it was Daria who emerged victorious. Admittedly that was 11 years ago and on a hard court in the qualifying tournament for the Tokyo event, but Daria won handily 6-1 6-4. A meeting on clay is a very different prospect but an intriguing one, nonetheless. And for a brief glimpse into the inner soul of Daria, she lists her likes as sushi, cheese, ramen… and SpongeBob SquarePants.